Azabicyclic-phenyl-fused-heterocyclic compounds for treatment of disease

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compounds of Formula I: 
                 
 
wherein Azabicyclo is any of: 
                 
 
These compounds may be in the form of pharmaceutical salts or compositions, and racemic mixtures or pure enantiomers thereof. The compounds of Formula I are useful in pharmaceuticals in which α7 is known to be involved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/345,075 filed on 9 Nov. 2001, under 35 USC 119(e)(i), U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/344,905 filed on 21 Dec. 2001, under 35 USC 119(e)(i), U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/365,278 filed on 18 Mar. 2002, under 35 USC 119(e)(i), and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/413,234 filed on 24 Sep. 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a large role in central nervous system (CNS) activity. Particularly, they are known to be involved in cognition, learning, mood, emotion, and neuroprotection. There are several types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and each one appears to have a different role in regulating CNS function. Nicotine affects all such receptors, and has a variety of activities. Unfortunately, not all of the activities are desirable. In fact, one of the least desirable properties of nicotine is its addictive nature and the low ratio between efficacy and safety. The present invention relates to molecules that have a greater effect upon the α7 nAChRs as compared to other closely related members of this large ligand-gated receptor family. Thus, the invention provides compounds that are active drug molecules with fewer side effects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cell surface receptors are, in general, excellent and validated drug targets. nAChRs comprise a large family of ligand-gated ion channels that control neuronal activity and brain function. These receptors have a pentameric structure. In mammals, this gene family is composed of nine alpha and four beta subunits that co-assemble to form multiple subtypes of receptors that have a distinctive pharmacology. Acetylcholine is the endogenous regulator of all of the subtypes, while nicotine non-selectively activates all nAChRs.

The α7 nAChR is one receptor system that has proved to be a difficult target for testing. Native α7 nAChR is not routinely able to be stably expressed in most mammalian cell lines (Cooper and Millar, J. Neurochem., 1997, 68(5):2140-51). Another feature that makes functional assays of α7 nAChR challenging is that the receptor is rapidly (100 milliseconds) inactivated. This rapid inactivation greatly limits the functional assays that can be used to measure channel activity.

Recently, Eisele et al. has indicated that a chimeric receptor formed between the N-terminal ligand binding domain of the α7 nAChR (Eisele et al., Nature, 366(6454), 479-83, 1993), and the pore forming C-terminal domain of the 5-HT₃ receptor expressed well in Xenopus oocytes while retaining nicotinic agonist sensitivity. Eisele et al. used the N-terminus of the avian (chick) form of the α7 nAChR receptor and the C-terminus of the mouse form of the 5-HT₃ gene. However, under physiological conditions the α7 nAChR is a calcium channel while the 5-HT₃R is a sodium and potassium channel. Indeed, Eisele et al. teaches that the chicken α7 nAChR/mouse 5-HT₃R behaves quite differently than the native α7 nAChR with the pore element not conducting calcium but actually being blocked by calcium ions. WO 00/73431 A2 reports on assay conditions under which the 5-HT₃R can be made to conduct calcium. This assay may be used to screen for agonist activity at this receptor.

U.S. patent application No. 2002/0016334 discloses a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,049 B2 disclsoes a method of treating nerodegenerative disorders via inhibition of amyloid beta peptide binding.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,464 discloses azabicyclic esters of carbamic acids useful in therapy, especially in the treatment or prophylaxis of psychotic disorders and intellectual impairment disorders, as well as intermediates and use of intermediates in synthesis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,144 discloses compositions for benzylidene- and cinnamylidene-anabaseines and methods for using these compositions for treating conditions associated with defects or malfunctioning of nicotinic subtypes brain receptors. These compositions target the α7 receptor subtype with little or no activation of the α4β2 or other receptor subtypes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,902 discloses quinuclidine derivatives having tricyclic hetero condensed ring. The compounds are disclosed as having strong squalene synthase inhibiting activity and being useful as a cholesterol lowering agent without causing side effects.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,434 discloses a novel process for preparing 2-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-1H-benz[de]isoquinolin-1-one, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists, and the intermediates thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,149 discloses the use of a mono or bicyclic carbocyclic, or heterocyclic carboxylic, acid ester or amide or an imidazolyl carbazol in the manufacture of a medicament suitable for the treatment of stress-related psychiatric disorders, for increasing vigilance, for the treatment of rhinitis or serotonin-induced disorders and/or coadministration with another active agent to increase the bioavailability thereof, or for nasal administration.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,161 discloses imidazopyridines as serotonergic 5-HT₃ antagonists.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,740 discloses dihydrobenzofuran carboxamides useful in treating CNS disorders, but motility disorders, and/or emisis and/or pain in mammals, and/or migraine.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,333 discloses benzazine compounds useful as drugs for the prophylaxis or treatment of various digestive diseases vomiting and disturbances in central nervous systems and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,173 discloses carboxamides useful as antiemetic or antipsychotic agents.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,528 discloses analgesic use of benzobicyclic carboxamides.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,947 discloses method for alleviating anxiety using benxobicyclic carboxamides.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,680 discloses 5-HT₃ antagonists in preventing or reducing dependency on dependency-inducing agents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,600 discloses heterocyclic compounds useful as 5-HT₃ antagonists.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,511 discloses benzoxazine and benzoxazepin carboxamide 5-HT₃ antagonists properties including CNS, anti-emetic and gastric prokinetic activity and which are void of any significant D₂ receptor binding affinity.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,445 discloses heteroazabenzobicyclic carboxamide 5-HT₃ antagonists properties including CNS, anti-emetic and gastric prokinetic activity.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,010 discloses benzoxepins as intermediates to 5-HT₃ antagonists having CNS and gastric prokinetic activity and void of any significant D₂ receptor binding properties.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,982 discloses 5-halo-2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-carboxylic acids which are useful as intermediates for 5-HT₃ antagonists.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,227 discloses benzobicyclic carboxamide 5-HT₃ antagonists.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,219 discloses substituted saturated and unsaturated indole quinoline and benzazepine carboxamides and their valuable use as 5-HT₃ antagonists having CNS and gastric prokinetic activity void of any significant D₂ receptor binding properties.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,193 discloses treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,872 discloses benzoxazine compounds exhibiting 5-HT₃ receptor antagonistic activity and being useful as antiemetics and so on.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,921 discloses dibenzofurancarboxamides and their use as 5-HT₃ antagonists having unique CNS, anti-emetic and gastric prokinetic activity void of any significant D₂ receptor binding properties.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,517 discloses certain specific substituted 9-N-(1-azabicyclo-[2.2.2]octan-3-yl)carboxamido-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1-benzoxepins and their valuable use as 5-HT₃ antagonists having CNS and gastric prokinetic activity and void of any significant D₂ receptor binding properties.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,162 discloses agonists and antagonists to nicotine as smoking deterrents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,199 discloses pharmaceutically useful heterocyclic acid esters and amides or alkylene bridged peperidines as serotonin M antagonists.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,406 discloses amides and esters containing bridged piperidines and use as serotonin M antagonists.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,720 discloses a method of treating emesis, anxiety and/or irritable bowel syndrome.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,319 discloses bridged quinolizinidinylamides, compositions containing them and methods for their use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,652 discloses a method of enhancing memory or correcting memory deficiency with arylamido (and arylthioamido)-azabicycloalkanes, and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, hydrates and alcoholates thereof.

WO 01/76576 A2 discloses a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of acute, chronic pain and/or neuropathic pain and migraines.

WO 01/60821 A1 discloses novel biarylcarboxamides and their use in therapy, especially in the treatement of prophylaxis of psychotic and intellectual impairment conditions.

WO 01/36417 A1 discloses novel N-azabicyclo-amide derivatives and use in therapy, especially in the treatment of prophylaxis of psychotic disorders and intellectual impairment disorders.

WO 00/73431 A2 discloses two binding assays to directly measure the affinity and selectivity of compounds at the α7 nAChR and the 5-HT₃R. The combined use of these functional and binding assays may be used to identify compounds that are selective agonists of the α7 nAChR.

WO 96/33186 discloses substituted dihydrobenzofuran derivatives as 5-HT₄ agonists.

WO 93/06108 discloses pyrrolobenzoxanie derivatives as 5-HT agonists and antagonists.

WO 92/10494 discloses novel compounds that are 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists.

WO 91/09593 discloses 5-HT₃ antagonists for treatment of nausea, bradycardia or hypotension associated myocardial instability.

EP 496 064 A1 discloses a process for the preparation of substituted benzofuran derivatives. The compounds are disclosed as being useful 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists.

In Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett. 11 (2001) 319-321, the 5-HT₃ antagonist tropisetron (ICS 205-930) is discussed as a potent and selective α7 nicotinic receptor partial agonist.

In Behavioral Brain Res., 113 (2000) 169-181, it is discussed that the brain α7 nicotinic receptor may be an important therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using DMXBA which is known as GTS-21.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses compounds of Formula I:

wherein Azabicyclo is any of:

X is O or S;

W is CH or N;

Y is O, CR_(Y), or C(R_(Y))₂, provided that when Y is CR_(Y), one R₆ is a bond to CR_(Y), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O;

Each R_(Y) is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Y is C(R_(Y))₂, and further provided that when one R_(Y) is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Y) is H;

Z is O, CR_(Z), or C(R_(Z))₂, provided that when Z is CR_(Z), one R₄ is a bond to CR_(Z), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O;

Each R_(Z) is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Z is C(R_(Z))₂, and further provided that when R_(Z) is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Z) is H;

R₀ is H, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, or halogenated lower alkyl;

R₁ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, or aryl;

Each R₂ is independently F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or R₂ is absent provided that k₁, k₂, k₅, or k₆ is 0;

R₂₋₃ is H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl;

k₁ is 0 or 1;

k₂ is 0 or 1;

k₅ and k₆ are independently 0, 1, or 2;

R₃ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated alkenyl, halogenated alkynyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, substituted alkynyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, R₇, R₉, —OR₈, —OR₁₅, —SR₈, —SR₁₇, F, Cl, Br, I, —NR₈R₈, —NR₈R₁₆, —NR₁₆R₁₆, —C(O)R₈, —CN, —C(O)NR₈R₈, —NR₈C(O)R₈, —S(O)R₈, —S(O)R₁₇, —OS(O)₂R₈, —NR₈S(O)₂R₈, —NO₂, or —N(H)C(O)N(H)R₈;

Each R₄ is independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or a bond to Z provided that Z is CR_(Z);

R₅ is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted phenyl, or substituted naphthyl;

Each R₆ is independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or a bond to Y provided that Y is CR_(Y);

R₇ is 5-membered heteroaromatic mono-cyclic moieties containing within the ring 1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of ═N—, —N(R₁₄)—, —O—, and —S—, and having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or R₇ is 9-membered fused-ring moieties having a 6-membered ring fused to a 5-membered ring including the formula

wherein G is C(R₁₈) or N, and each G₂ and G₃ are independently selected from C(R₁₈)₂, C(R₁₈), O, S, N, and N(R₁₈), provided that both G₂ and G₃ are not simultaneously O, simultaneously S, or simultaneously O and S, or

wherein G is C(R₁₈) or N, and each G₂ and G₃ are independently selected from C(R₁₈)₂, C(R₁₈), O, S, N, and N(R₁₄), each 9-membered fused-ring moiety having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and further having 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, wherein the R₇ moiety attaches to other substituents as defined in formula I at any position on either ring as valency allows;

Each R₈ is independently H, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I or substituted phenyl;

R₉ is 6-membered heteroaromatic mono-cyclic moieties containing within the ring 1-3 heteroatoms selected from ═N— and having 0-1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or R₉ is 10-membered heteroaromatic bi-cyclic moieties containing within one or both rings 1-3 heteroatoms selected from ═N—, including, but not limited to, quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl, each 10-membered fused-ring moiety having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, and having the point of attachment at any position on R₉ where valency allows;

Each R₁₀ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃, cycloalkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃, heterocycloalkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl;

Each R₁₁ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, or halogenated heterocycloalkyl;

R₁₂ is —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —NO₂, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, or —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁;

R₁₃ is —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —CF₃, —NO₂, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, or phenyl optionally substituted with up to 3 halo atoms and further optionally substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₂;

R₁₄ is independently H, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl;

R₁₅ is H, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or substituted phenyl;

Each R₁₆ is independently alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Each R₁₇ is independently H, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, or R₉;

Each R₁₈ is independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, or a bond directly or indirectly attached to the core molecule, provided that there is only one said bond to the core molecule within the 9-membered fused-ring moiety, further provided that where valency allows the fused-ring moiety has 0-1 substituent selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —NO₂, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, or —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, and further provided that the fused-ring moiety has 0-3 substituent(s) selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

R₂₀ is alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, —NO₂, alkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃, cycloalkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃, or heterocycloalkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃;

or pharmaceutical composition, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, racemic mixture, or pure enantiomer thereof.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more or combination of the following.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a use of a compound of Formula I for treating a disease or condition, wherein the diseases, disorders, and/or condition is any one or more or combination of the following: cognitive and attention deficit symptoms of Alzheimer's, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, pre-senile dementia (mild cognitive impairment), senile dementia, schizophrenia, psychosis, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, general anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, mood and affective disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, borderline personality disorder, traumatic brain injury, behavioral and cognitive problems in general and associated with brain tumors, AIDS dementia complex, dementia associated with Down's syndrome, dementia associated with Lewy Bodies, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, tardive dyskinesia, Pick's disease, dysregulation of food intake including bulemia and anorexia nervosa, withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation and dependant drug cessation, Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, neurodegeneration associated with glaucoma, or symptoms associated with pain.

In another aspect, the invention includes treating a mammal suffering from schizophrenia or psychosis by administering compounds of Formula I in conjunction with antipsychotic drugs (also called anti-psychotic agents). The compounds of the present invention and the antipsychotic drugs can be administered simultaneously or at separate intervals. When administered simultaneously the compounds of the present invention and the antipsychotic drugs can be incorporated into a single pharmaceutical composition. Alternatively, two separate compositions, i.e., one containing compounds of the present invention and the other containing antipsychotic drugs, can be administered simultaneously.

The compounds of Formula I (Azabicyclo is I) have optically active centers on the quinuclidine ring. The compounds of the present invention include quinuclidines with the 3R configuration, the 3R, 2S configuration, and also includes racemic mixtures, the separate stereoisomers, and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purity. For example, and not by limitation, compounds of Formula I include compounds with stereospecificity including either of the following:

The compounds of Formula I (Azabicyclo is II) have optically active center(s) on the [2.2.1] azabicyclic ring at C3 and C4. The scope of this invention includes racemic mixtures of varying degrees of stereochemical purities, the separate stereoisomers, and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities of Formula I being endo-4S, endo-4R, exo-4S, exo-4R:

The endo isomer is the isomer where the non-hydrogen substituent at C3 of the [2.2.1] azabicyclic compound is projected toward the larger of the two remaining bridges. The exo isomer is the isomer where the non-hydrogen substituent at C3 of the [2.2.1] azabicyclic compound is projected toward the smaller of the two remaining bridges. Thus, there can be four separate isomers: exo-4(R), exo-4(S), endo-4(R), and endo-4(S).

The compounds of Formula I (Azabicyclo III) have optically active center(s) on the [2.2.1] azabicyclic ring at C1, C4 and C5. The scope of this invention includes racemic mixtures of varying degrees of stereochemical purities, the separate stereoisomers, and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities of Formula I being (1R,4R,5S), (1R,4R,5R), (1S,4S,5R), (1S,4S,5S):

The endo isomer is the isomer where the non-hydrogen substituent at C5 of the [2.2.1] azabicyclic compound is projected toward the larger of the two remaining bridges. The exo isomer is the isomer where the non-hydrogen substituent at C5 of the [2.2.1] azabicyclic compound is projected toward the smaller of the two remaining bridges. Thus, there can be four separate isomers: exo-(1R,4R,5S), exo-(1S,4S,5R), endo-(1S,4S,5S), endo-(1R,4R,5R).

The compounds of Formula I (Azabicyclo IV) have optically active center(s) on the [2.2.1] azabicyclic ring at C1, C4 and C6. The scope of this invention includes racemic mixtures of varying degrees of stereochemical purities, the separate stereoisomers, and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities of Formula I being exo-(1S,4R,6S), exo-(1R,4S,6R), endo-(1S,4R,6R), and endo-(1R,4S,6S):

The endo isomer is the isomer where the non-hydrogen substituent at C6 of the [2.2.1] azabicyclic compound is projected toward the larger of the two remaining bridges. The exo isomer is the isomer where the non-hydrogen substituent at C6 of the [2.2.1] azabicyclic compound is projected toward the smaller of the two remaining bridges. Thus, there can be four separate isomers: exo-(1S,4R,6S), exo-(1R,4S,6R), endo-(1S,4R,6R), and endo-(1R,4S,6S).

The compounds of Formula I (Azabicyclo is V) have optically active center(s) on the [3.2.1] azabicyclic ring at C3 and C5. The scope of this invention includes racemic mixtures of varying degrees of stereochemical purities, the separate stereoisomers, and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities of Formula I being endo-3S, 5R, endo-3R, 5S, exo-3R, 5R, exo-3S, 5S:

The compounds of Formula I (Azabicyclo is VI) have optically active centers on the [3.2.2] azabicyclic ring with one center being at C3 when R₂ is absent. The scope of this invention includes racemic mixtures of varying degrees of stereochemical purities, the separate stereoisomers, and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities of Formula I being 3(S) and 3(R):

The compounds of the present invention having the specified stereochemistry have different levels of activity and that for a given set of values for the variable substitutuents one isomer may be preferred over the other isomers. Although it is desirable that the stereochemical purity be as high as possible, absolute purity is not required. This invention involves racemic mixtures and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities for the whole molecule, including the Azabicyclo moiety and the bicyclic fused ring moiety. This invention involves racemic mixtures and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities. When racemic mixtures and compositions are referenced, it is meant racemic mixtures and compositions of varying degrees of stereochemical purities. It is preferred to carry out stereoselective syntheses and/or to subject the reaction product to appropriate purification steps so as to produce substantially enantiomerically pure materials. Suitable stereoselective synthetic procedures for producing enantiomerically pure materials are well known in the art, as are procedures for purifying racemic mixtures into enantiomerically pure fractions.

Stereoselective syntheses and/or subjecting the reaction product to appropriate purification steps produce substantially enantiomerically pure materials. Suitable stereoselective synthetic procedures for producing enantiomerically pure materials are well known in the art, as are procedures for purifying racemic mixtures into enantiomerically pure fractions.

For all compounds specifically named, the naming of a specific enantiomer does not limit the scope of the invention, but is for exemplification. The naming of a specific enantiomer includes racemic mixtures thereof. For example, naming N-[(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide includes within the scope of the present invention N-[2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide. Furthermore, naming (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide includes N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide, and N-[1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide.

Another embodiment of the compounds of Formula I includes any one or more or combination of the following configurations for compounds:

where (i) the compound has the S stereochemistry at C-2 and has the R stereochemistry at C-3, and R₂ has any value as discussed herein;

(ii) the compound is a racemic mixture and R₂ is at C-6, and R₂ has any value as discussed herein; or

(iii) the compound has the R stereochemistry at C-3 as discussed herein and stereochemistry is unspecified at C-6, and and R₂ has any value as discussed herein.

Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes any one or more or combination of the following configurations for compounds:

(ii) R₂ is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl;

(iii) R₂ is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl; or

(iv) the 2.2.1 moiety has the exo-4(S) stereochemistry as discussed herein.

Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes any one or more or combination of the following configurations for compounds:

where (i) R₂₋₃ is H;

(ii) R₂₋₃ is F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl; or

(iii) R₂₋₃ is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl.

Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes any one or more or combination of the following configurations for compounds:

where (i) R₂₋₃ is H;

(ii) R₂₋₃ is F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl; or

(iii) R₂₋₃ is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl.

Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes any one or more or combination of the following configurations for compounds:

where (i) k₅ is 0 (R₂ is absent);

(ii) R₂ is absent and where the Azabicyclo has the stereochemistry of 3R, 5R;

(iii) k₅ is 2, where R_(2-a) is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl, and where R_(2-b) is F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl;

(iv) k₅ is 1, where R₂ is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl; or

(v) k₅ is 1, where R₂ is F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl.

Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes any one or more or combination of the following configurations for compounds:

where (i) k₆ is 0 (R₂ is absent);

(ii) k₆ is 2, where each R_(2-a) is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl and where each R_(2-b) is F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl;

(iii) k₆ is 1, where R₂ is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl; or

(iv) k₆ is 1, where R₂ is F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl.

Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes any one or more of the following configurations where R₃, R₄, R₆, R_(Y), R_(Z) and W have any definition discussed herein, and where the bicyclic fused ring moiety is:

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where X is O or where X is S.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₀ is H, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, or halogenated lower alkyl. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₀ is H. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₀ is lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, or halogenated lower alkyl.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₁ is any one or more of the following: H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, or aryl. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₁ is H. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₁ is any one of the following: H, alkyl, or cycloalkyl.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Azabicyclo is any one or more of I, II, III, IV, V, or VI.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where each R₂ is independently F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or R₂ is absent provided that k₁, k₂, k₅, or k₆ is 0. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where each R₂ is absent (k₁, k₂, k₅, or k₆ is each 0). Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where there is only one R₂ and it is methyl. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₂ is lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, or lower substituted alkyl (k₁, k₂, k₅, or k₆ is each 1).

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₂₋₃ is independently any one of the following: H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₂₋₃ is H. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₂₋₃ is alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where W is N. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where W is CH. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Z and Y are each O. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where only one of Z and Y is O. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Z is O and Y is —C(R_(Y))═. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Z is O and Y is C(R_(Y))₂. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Z is O and Y is —CH(R_(Y))—. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Y is O and Z is —C(R_(Z))═. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Y is O and Z is C(R_(Z))₂. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Y is O and Z is —CH(R_(Z))—.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Y is O, CR_(Y), or C(R_(Y))₂, provided that when Y is CR_(Y), one R₆ is a bond to CR_(Y), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where Z is O, CR_(Z), or C(R_(Z))₂, provided that when Z is CR_(Z), one R₄ is a bond to CR_(Z), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where each R_(Y) is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Y is C(R_(Y))₂, and further provided that when one R_(Y) is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Y) is H. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where each R_(Z) is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Z is C(R_(Z))₂, and further provided that when R_(Z) is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Z) is H.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₃ has any definition discussed herein, only one of Z and Y is O and the other is CR_(Z) or CR_(Y), respectively, one R₄ or one R₆ is a bond, respectively, and the other R₄ and R₆ have any definition as described herein.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R_(Z) or R_(Y) is independently any one of the following: H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where each R_(Y) and R_(Z) is H.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₃ is any one or more of the following: H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated alkenyl, halogenated alkynyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, substituted alkynyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, R₇, R₉, —OR₈, —OR₁₅, —SR₈, —SR₁₇, F, Cl, Br, I, —NR₈R₈, —NR₈R₁₆, —NR₁₆R₁₆, —C(O)R₈, —CN, —C(O)NR₈R₈, —NR₈C(O)R₈, —S(O)R₈, —S(O)R₁₇, —OS(O)₂R₈, —NR₈S(O)₂R₈, —NO₂, or —N(H)C(O)N(H)R₈. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₃ is H. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where R₃ is H, lower alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, lower substituted alkynyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —OR₈, —OR₁₅, —SR₈, —SR₁₇, F, Cl, Br, I, —NR₈R₈, —NR₈R₁₆, —NR₁₆R₁₆, —C(O)R₈, —CN, —C(O)NR₈R₈, —NR₈C(O)R₈, —S(O)R₈, —S(O)R₁₇, —OS(O)₂R₈, —NR₈S(O)₂R₈, or —N(H)C(O)N(H)R₈,

wherein R₈ is H, lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl;

wherein R₁₅ and R₁₇ are independently H, lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl; and

wherein R₁₆ is lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where one R₄ and one R₆ are H and the other R₄ and other R₆ are each independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl. Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes where one R₆ is H and the other R₆ is other than H and has the S configuration on the bicyclic fused ring moiety. Another embodiment of compounds of Formula I includes where each R₄ is H. Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where each R₄ and each R₆ are H.

Another embodiment includes the compound of Formula I, where at least one R₄ and at least one R₆ are each H and the other R₄ and other R₆ are each independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl,

wherein each R₁₀ within the definition of substituted alkyl is independently H, lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or lower alkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃.

The compound of Formula I, where the compound is any one or more or combination of the following as the free base, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as a pure enantiomer or racemic mixture thereof:

-   N-((3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   2(R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   2(S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-1-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]chromane-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-6-carboxamide; -   exo-4(S)     N-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-3-yl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide;     or -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide.

The compound of Formula I, where the compound is any one or more or combination of the following as the free base, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as a pure enantiomer or racemic mixture thereof:

-   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S,3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R,3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S,3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-diethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R,3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-diethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-hydroxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-hydroxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicycio[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-hydroxylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-cyanophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-hydroxylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-cyanophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-hydroxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-hydroxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-hydroxylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-cyanophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-hydroxylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-cyanophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[1-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-[1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-[1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-fluoro-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-chloro-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-bromo-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-cyano-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethynyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-methyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-fluoro-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-chloro-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-bromo-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-cyano-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethynyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; -   N-(1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S,3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R,3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S,3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2,3-diethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R,3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2,3-diethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-berizodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-berizodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide, -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (2S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3R)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   (3S)-N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-ethyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-fluoro-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-chloro-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-bromo-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-cyano-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-ethynyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-methyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-ethyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-fluoro-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-chloro-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-bromo-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-cyano-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-4-ethynyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; -   N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]non-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; -   N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; or -   N-(2-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-6-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide.

Further aspects and embodiments of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the examples and the appended claims. While the invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, described hereafter are specific embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as illustrative, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, we have found that compounds of Formula I:

wherein Azabicyclo is any of:

X is O or S;

W is CH or N;

Y is O, CR_(Y), or C(R_(Y))₂, provided that when Y is CR_(Y), one R₆ is a bond to CR_(Y), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O;

Each R_(Y) is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Y is C(R_(Y))₂, and further provided that when one R_(Y) is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Y) is H;

Z is O, CR_(Z), or C(R_(Z))₂, provided that when Z is CR_(Z), one R₄ is a bond to CR_(Z), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O;

Each R_(Z) is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Z is C(R_(Z))₂, and further provided that when R_(Z) is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Z) is H;

Alkyl is both straight- and branched-chain moieties having from 1-6 carbon atoms;

Halogenated alkyl is an alkyl moiety having from 1-6 carbon atoms and having 1 to (2n+1) substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I where n is the maximum number of carbon atoms in the moiety;

Substituted alkyl is an alkyl moiety from 1-6 carbon atoms and having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I and further having 1 substituent selected from —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₀, —SR₁₀, —NR₁₀R₁₀, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)OR₁₀, —C(S)R₁₀, —C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)R₁₀, —S(O)R₁₀—S(O)₂R₁₀, —OS(O)₂R₁₀, —S(O)₂NR₁₀R₁₀, —NR₁₀S(O)₂R₁₀, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Cycloalkyl is a cyclic alkyl moiety having from 3-6 carbon atoms;

R₀ is H, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, or halogenated lower alkyl;

Lower alkyl is both straight- and branched-chain moieties having 1-4 carbon atoms;

Halogenated lower alkyl is lower alkyl having 1 to (2n+1) substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I where n is the maximum number of carbon atoms in the moiety;

Substituted lower alkyl is lower alkyl having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I and further having 1 substituent selected from —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₀, —SR₁₀, —NR₁₀R₁₀, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)OR₁₀, —C(S)R₁₀, —C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)R₁₀, —S(O)R₁₀, —S(O)₂R₁₀, —OS(O)₂R₁₀, —S(O)₂NR₁₀R₁₀, —NR₁₀S(O)₂R₁₀, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

R₁ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, or aryl;

Aryl is phenyl, substituted phenyl, naphthyl, or substituted naphthyl;

Substituted phenyl is a phenyl either having 1-4 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or having 1 substituent selected from R₁₂ and 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Substituted naphthyl is a naphthalene moiety either having 1-4 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or having 1 substituent selected from R₁₂ and 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, where the substitution can be independently on either only one ring or both rings of said naphthalene moiety;

Each R₂ is independently F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or R₂ is absent provided that k₁, k₂, k₅, or k₆ is 0;

R₂₋₃ is H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl;

k₁ is 0 or 1;

k₂ is 0 or 1;

k₅ and k₆ are independently 0, 1, or 2;

R₃ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated alkenyl, halogenated alkynyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, substituted alkynyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, R₇, R₉, —OR₈, —OR₁₅, —SR₈, —SR₁₇, F, Cl, Br, I, —NR₈R₈, —NR₈R₁₆, —NR₁₆R₁₆, —C(O)R₈, —CN, —C(O)NR₈R₈, —NR₈C(O)R₈, —S(O)R₈, —S(O)R₁₇, —OS(O)₂R₈, —NR₈S(O)₂R₈, —NO₂, or —N(H)C(O)N(H)R₈;

Alkenyl is straight- and branched-chain moieties having from 2-6 carbon atoms and having at least one carbon-carbon double bond;

Halogenated alkenyl is an unsaturated alkenyl moiety having from 2-6 carbon atoms and having 1 to (2n−1) substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I where n is the maximum number of carbon atoms in the moiety;

Substituted alkenyl is an unsaturated alkenyl moiety having from 2-6 carbon atoms and having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, or Cl, and further having 1 substituent selected from —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₀, —SR₁₀, —NR₁₀R₁₀, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)OR₁₀, —C(S)R₁₀, —C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)R₁₀, —S(O)R₁₀, —S(O)₂R₁₀, —OS(O)₂R₁₀, —S(O)₂NR₁₀R₁₀, —NR₁₀S(O)₂R₁₀, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Alkynyl is straight- and branched-chained moieties having from 2-6 carbon atoms and having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond;

-   -   Halogenated alkynyl is an unsaturated alkynyl moiety having from         3-6 carbon atoms and having 1 to (2n−3) substituent(s)         independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I where n is the         maximum number of carbon atoms in the moiety;

Substituted alkynyl is an unsaturated alkynyl moiety having from 3-6 carbon atoms and having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, or Cl, and further having 1 substituent selected from —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₀, —SR₁₀, —NR₁₀R₁₀, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)OR₁₀, —C(S)R₁₀, —C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)R₁₀, —S(O)R₁₀, —S(O)₂R₁₀, —OS(O)₂R₁₀, —S(O)₂NR₁₀R₁₀, —NR₁₀S(O)₂R₁₀, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Halogenated cycloalkyl is a cyclic moiety having from 3-6 carbon atoms and having 1-4 substituents independently selected from F, or Cl;

Substituted cycloalkyl is a cyclic moiety having from 3-6 carbon atoms and having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, or Cl, and further having 1 substituent selected from —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₀, —SR₁₀, —NR₁₀R₁₀, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)OR₁₀, —C(S)R₁₀, —C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)R₁₀, —S(O)R₁₀, —S(O)₂R₁₀, —OS(O)₂R₁₀, —S(O)₂NR₁₀R₁₀, —NR₁₀S(O)₂R₁₀, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Heterocycloalkyl is a cyclic moiety having 4-7 atoms with 1-2 atoms within the ring being —S—, —N(R₁₉)—, or —O—;

Halogenated heterocycloalkyl is a cyclic moiety having from 4-7 atoms with 1-2 atoms within the ring being —S—, —N(R₁₉)—, or —O—, and having 1-4 substituents independently selected from F, or Cl;

Substituted heterocycloalkyl is a cyclic moiety having from 4-7 atoms with 1-2 atoms within the ring being —S—, —N(R₁₉)—, or —O— and having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, or Cl, and further having 1 substituent selected from —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₀, —SR₁₀, —NR₁₀R₁₀, —C(O)R₁₀, —C(O)OR₁₀, —C(S)R₁₀, —C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)N(R₁₀)₂, —NR₁₀C(O)R₁₀, —S(O)R₁₀, —S(O)₂R₁₀, —OS(O)₂R₁₀, —S(O)₂NR₁₀R₁₀, —NR₁₀S(O)₂R₁₀, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Each R₄ is independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or a bond to Z provided that Z is CR_(Z);

R₅ is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted phenyl, or substituted naphthyl;

Each R₆ is independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or a bond to Y provided that Y is CR_(Y);

R₇ is 5-membered heteroaromatic mono-cyclic moieties containing within the ring 1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of ═N—, —N(R₁₄)—, —O—, and —S—, and having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or R₇ is 9-membered fused-ring moieties having a 6-membered ring fused to a 5-membered ring including the formula

wherein G is C(R₁₈) or N, and each G₂ and G₃ are independently selected from C(R₁₈)₂, C(R₁₈), O, S, N, and N(R₁₈), provided that both G₂ and G₃ are not simultaneously O, simultaneously S, or simultaneously O and S, or

wherein G is C(R₁₈) or N, and each G₂ and G₃ are independently selected from C(R₁₈)₂, C(R₁₈), O, S, N, and N(R₁₄), each 9-membered fused-ring moiety having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and further having 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, wherein the R₇ moiety attaches to other substituents as defined in formula I at any position on either ring as valency allows;

Each R₈ is independently H, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I or substituted phenyl;

R₉ is 6-membered heteroaromatic mono-cyclic moieties containing within the ring 1-3 heteroatoms selected from ═N— and having 0-1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or R₉ is 10-membered heteroaromatic bi-cyclic moieties containing within one or both rings 1-3 heteroatoms selected from ═N—, including, but not limited to, quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl, each 10-membered fused-ring moiety having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, and having the point of attachment at any position on R₉ where valency allows;

-   -   Each R₁₀ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl,         heterocycloalkyl, alkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected         from R₁₃, cycloalkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected         from R₁₃, heterocycloalkyl substituted with 1 substituent         selected from R₁₃, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl,         halogenated heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl;

Each R₁₁ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, or halogenated heterocycloalkyl;

R₁₂ is —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —NO₂, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, or —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁;

R₁₃ is —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —CF₃, —NO₂, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, or phenyl optionally substituted with up to 3 halo atoms and further optionally substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₂;

R₁₄ is independently H, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl;

R₁₅ is H, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or substituted phenyl;

Each R₁₆ is independently alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

Each R₁₇ is independently H, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, or R₉;

Each R₁₈ is independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, or a bond directly or indirectly attached to the core molecule, provided that there is only one said bond to the core molecule within the 9-membered fused-ring moiety, further provided that where valency allows the fused-ring moiety has 0-1 substituent selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —NO₂, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, or —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, and further provided that the fused-ring moiety has 0-3 substituent(s) selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

R₁₉ is H, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I;

R₂₀ is alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, —NO₂, alkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃, cycloalkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃, or heterocycloalkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃;

or pharmaceutical composition, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, racemic mixture, or pure enantiomer thereof useful to treat any one of or combination of cognitive and attention deficit symptoms of Alzheimer's, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, pre-senile dementia (mild cognitive impairment), senile dementia, schizophrenia, psychosis, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood and affective disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, borderline personality disorder, traumatic brain injury, behavioral and cognitive problems associated with brain tumors, AIDS dementia complex, dementia associated with Down's syndrome, dementia associated with Lewy Bodies, Huntington's disease, depression, general anxiety disorder, age-related macular degeneration, Parkinson's disease, tardive dyskinesia, Pick's disease, post traumatic stress disorder, dysregulation of food intake including bulemia and anorexia nervosa, withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation and dependant drug cessation, Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome, glaucoma, neurodegeneration associated with glaucoma, or symptoms associated with pain.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing the active compounds, and methods to treat the identified diseases.

In another aspect, the invention includes methods of treating a mammal suffering from schizophrenia or psychosis by administering compounds of Formula I in conjunction with antipsychotic drugs, also called agents. The compounds of Formula I and the antipsychotic drugs can be administered simultaneously or at separate intervals. When administered simultaneously the compounds of Formula I and the antipsychotic drugs can be incorporated into a single pharmaceutical composition. Alternatively, two separate compositions, i.e., one containing compounds of Formula I and the other containing antipsychotic drugs, can be administered simultaneously.

Abbreviations which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used (e.g., “Ph” for phenyl, “Me” for methyl, “Et” for ethyl, “h” or “hr” for hour or hours, “min” for minute or minutes, and “rt” or “RT” for room temperature).

All temperatures are in degrees Centigrade.

Room temperature is within the range of 15-25 degrees Celsius.

ACHR refers to acetylcholine receptor.

nAChR refers to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

5HT₃R refers to the serotonin-type 3 receptor.

“Pre-senile dementia” and “mild cognitive impairment” refer to the same disease state.

α-btx refers to α-bungarotoxin.

FLIPR refers to a device marketed by Molecular Devices, Inc. designed to precisely measure cellular fluorescence in a high throughput whole-cell assay. (Schroeder et. al., J. Biomolecular Screening, 1(2), p 75-80, 1996).

TLC refers to thin-layer chromatography.

HPLC refers to high pressure liquid chromatography.

MeOH refers to methanol.

EtOH refers to ethanol.

IPA refers to isopropyl alcohol.

THF refers to tetrahydrofuran.

DMSO refers to dimethylsulfoxide.

DMF refers to dimethylformamide.

EtOAc refers to ethyl acetate.

TMS refers to tetramethylsilane.

TEA refers to triethylamine.

DIEA refers to dilsopropylethylamine.

Na₂SO₄ refers to sodium sulfate.

K₂CO₃ refers to potassium carbonate.

MgSO₄ refers to magnesium sulfate.

When Na₂SO₄, K₂CO₃, or MgSO₄ is used as a drying agent, it is anhydrous.

MLA refers to methyllycaconitine.

Ether refers to diethyl ether.

HATU refers to O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′, N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate.

50% saturated 1:1 NaCl/NaHCO₃ means a solution made by making a solution of 1:1 saturated NaCl/NaHCO₃ and adding an equal volume of water.

Halo is halogen. Halogen is F, Cl, Br, or I.

The carbon atom content of various hydrocarbon-containing moieties is indicated by a prefix designating the minimum and maximum number of carbon atoms in the moiety, i.e., the prefix C_(i-j) indicates a moiety of the integer “i” to the integer “j” carbon atoms, inclusive. Thus, for example, C₁₋₆ alkyl refers to alkyl of one to six carbon atoms.

Non-inclusive examples of heteroaryl compounds that fall within the definition of R₇ and R₉ include, but are not limited to, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolyl, benzoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl, isoquinolinyl, cinnolinyl, indazolyl, indolizinyl, phthalazinyl, pydridazinyl, triazinyl, isoindolyl, purinyl, oxadiazolyl, furazanyl, benzofurazanyl, benzothiophenyl, benzothiazolyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthridinyl, furopyridinyl, pyrrolopyridinyl, or thienopyridinyl. All isomeric forms of the non-inclusive named moieties are included, e.g., benzofuranyl includes 1-benzofuran-2-yl, 1-benzofuran-3-yl, 1-benzofuran-4-yl, 1-benzofuran-5-yl, 1-benzofuran-6-yl, 1-benzofuran-7-yl, 2-benzofuran-1-yl, 2-benzofuran-2-yl, 2-benzofuran-3-yl, 2-benzofuran-4-yl, or 2-benzofuran-5-yl. The non-inclusive examples of R₇ and R₉ may be substituted as allowed within the respective definition of R₇ and R₉ as valency allows. One of ordinary skill in the art can identify the allowed substitution by comparing the non-inclusive examples with the respective definitions of R₇ and R₉.

Non-inclusive examples of heterocycloalkyl include, but are not limited to, tetrahydrofurano, tetrahydropyrano, morpholino, pyrrolidino, piperidino, piperazine, azetidino, azetidinono, oxindolo, dihydroimidazolo, pyrrolidino, or isoxazolinyl.

The core molecule is Azabicyclo-N(R₁)—C(═X)—:

A bond indirectly to the core molecule includes a bond to the bicyclic fused ring moiety which is directly attached to the core molecule.

One of the most conventionally accepted ways of naming:

is N-((3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide, but for one ordinarily skilled in the art, the same compound can be named N-((3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-1,4-benzodioxane-6-carboxamide. The two are used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide and N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide both refer to the same compound:

Some of the amines described herein require the use of an amine-protecting group to ensure functionalization of the desired nitrogen. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate where, within the synthetic scheme, to use said protecting group. Amino protecting group includes, but is not limited to, carbobenzyloxy (CBz), tert butoxy carbonyl (BOC) and the like. Examples of other suitable amino protecting groups are known to person skilled in the art and can be found in “Protective Groups in Organic synthesis,” 3rd Edition, authored by Theodora Greene and Peter Wuts.

Mammal denotes human and other mammals.

Brine refers to an aqueous saturated sodium chloride solution.

Equ means molar equivalents.

IR refers to infrared spectroscopy.

Lv refers to leaving groups within a molecule, including Cl, OH, or mixed anhydride.

Parr refers to the name of the company who sells the jars used for conducting reactions under pressure.

PSI means pound per square inch.

NMR refers to nuclear (proton) magnetic resonance spectroscopy, chemical shifts are reported in ppm (δ) downfield from TMS.

MS refers to mass spectrometry expressed as m/e or mass/charge unit. HRMS refers to high resolution mass spectrometry expressed as m/e or mass/charge unit. M+H⁺ refers to the positive ion of a parent plus a hydrogen atom. M−H⁻ refers to the negative ion of a parent minus a hydrogen atom. M+Na⁺ refers to the positive ion of a parent plus a sodium atom. M+K⁺ refers to the positive ion of a parent plus a potassium atom. EI refers to electron impact. ESI refers to electrospray ionization. CI refers to chemical ionization. FAB refers to fast atom bombardment.

Compounds of the present invention may be in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases including inorganic bases and organic bases, and salts prepared from inorganic acids, and organic acids. Salts derived from inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, N, N-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, and the like. Salts derived from inorganic acids include salts of hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid and the like. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic acids include salts of C₁₋₆ alkyl carboxylic acids, di-carboxylic acids, and tri-carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, adipic acid, and citric acid, and aryl and alkyl sulfonic acids such as toluene sulfonic acids and the like.

By the term “effective amount” of a compound as provided herein is meant a nontoxic but sufficient amount of the compound(s) to provide the desired effect. As pointed out below, the exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of the disease that is being treated, the particular compound(s) used, the mode of administration, and the like. Thus, it is not possible to specify an exact “effective amount.” However, an appropriate effective amount may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation.

The compounds of Formula I have optically active center(s) on the Azabicyclo moiety. Although it is desirable that the stereochemical purity be as high as possible, absolute purity is not required. This invention involves racemic mixtures and compositions of varying degrees of streochemical purities. It is preferred to carry out stereoselective syntheses and/or to subject the reaction product to appropriate purification steps so as to produce substantially optically pure materials. Suitable stereoselective synthetic procedures for producing optically pure materials are well known in the art, as are procedures for purifying racemic mixtures into optically pure fractions.

The amount of therapeutically effective compound(s) that is administered and the dosage regimen for treating a disease condition with the compounds and/or compositions of this invention depends on a variety of factors, including the age, weight, sex and medical condition of the subject, the severity of the disease, the route and frequency of administration, and the particular compound(s) employed, and thus may vary widely. The compositions contain well know carriers and excipients in addition to a therapeutically effective amount of compounds of Formula I. The pharmaceutical compositions may contain active ingredient in the range of about 0.001-100 mg/kg/day for an adult, preferably in the range of about 0.1-50 mg/kg/day for an adult. A total daily dose of about 1-1000 mg of active ingredient may be appropriate for an adult. The daily dose can be administered in one to four doses per day.

In addition to the compound(s) of Formula I, the composition for therapeutic use may also comprise one or more non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier materials or excipients. The term “carrier” material or “excipient” herein means any substance, not itself a therapeutic agent, used as a carrier and/or diluent and/or adjuvant, or vehicle for delivery of a therapeutic agent to a subject or added to a pharmaceutical composition to improve its handling or storage properties or to permit or facilitate formation of a dose unit of the composition into a discrete article such as a capsule or tablet suitable for oral administration. Excipients can include, by way of illustration and not limitation, diluents, disintegrants, binding agents, adhesives, wetting agents, polymers, lubricants, glidants, substances added to mask or counteract a disagreeable taste or odor, flavors, dyes, fragrances, and substances added to improve appearance of the composition. Acceptable excipients include lactose, sucrose, starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkyl esters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, and/or polyvinyl alcohol, and then tableted or encapsulated for convenient administration. Such capsules or tablets may contain a controlled-release formulation as may be provided in a dispersion of active compound in hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, or other methods known to those skilled in the art. For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may be in the form of, for example, a tablet, capsule, suspension or liquid. If desired, other active ingredients may be included in the composition.

In addition to the oral dosing, noted above, the compositions of the present invention may be administered by any suitable route, in the form of a pharmaceutical composition adapted to such a route, and in a dose effective for the treatment intended. The compositions may, for example, be administered parenterally, e.g., intravascularly, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly. For parenteral administration, saline solution, dextrose solution, or water may be used as a suitable carrier. Formulations for parenteral administration may be in the form of aqueous or non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions or suspensions. These solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders or granules having one or more of the carriers or diluents mentioned for use in the formulations for oral administration. The compounds may be dissolved in water, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, EtOH, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride, and/or various buffers. Other adjuvants and modes of administration are well and widely known in the pharmaceutical art.

The serotonin type 3 receptor (5HT₃R) is a member of a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels, which includes the muscle and neuronal nAChR, the glycine receptor, and the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. Like the other members of this receptor superfamily, the 5HT₃R exhibits a large degree of sequence homology with α7 nAChR but functionally the two ligand-gated ion channels are very different. For example, α7 nAChR is rapidly inactivated, is highly permeable to calcium and is activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. On the other hand, 5HT₃R is inactivated slowly, is relatively impermeable to calcium and is activated by serotonin. These experiments suggest that the α7 nAChR and 5HT₃R proteins have some degree of homology, but function very differently. Indeed the pharmacology of the channels is very different. For example, Ondansetron, a highly selective 5HT₃R antagonist, has little activity at the α7 nAChR. The converse is also true. For example, GTS-21, a highly selective α7 nAChR agonist, has little activity at the 5HT₃R.

α7 nAChR is a ligand-gated Ca⁺⁺ channel formed by a homopentamer of α7 subunits. Previous studies have established that α-bungarotoxin (α-btx) binds selectively to this homopetameric, α7 nAChR subtype, and that α7 nAChR has a high affinity binding site for both α-btx and methyllycaconitine (MLA). α7 nAChR is expressed at high levels in the hippocampus, ventral tegmental area and ascending cholinergic projections from nucleus basilis to thalamocortical areas. α7 nAChR agonists increase neurotransmitter release, and increase cognition, arousal, attention, learning and memory.

Data from human and animal pharmacological studies establish that nicotinic cholinergic neuronal pathways control many important aspects of cognitive function including attention, learning and memory (Levin, E. D., Psychopharmacology, 108:417-31, 1992; Levin, E. D. and Simon B. B., Psychopharmacology, 138:217-30, 1998). For example, it is well known that nicotine increases cognition and attention in humans. ABT-418, a compound that activates α4β2 and α7 nAChR, improves cognition and attention in clinical trials of Alzheimer's disease and attention-deficit disorders (Potter, A. et. al., Psychopharmacology (Berl)., 142(4):334-42, March 1999; Wilens, T. E. et. al., Am. J. Psychiatry, 156(12):1931-7, December 1999). It is also clear that nicotine and selective but weak α7 nAChR agonists increase cognition and attention in rodents and non-human primates.

Schizophrenia is a complex multifactorial illness caused by genetic and non-genetic risk factors that produce a constellation of positive and negative symptoms. The positive symptoms include delusions and hallucinations and the negative symptoms include deficits in affect, attention, cognition and information processing. No single biological element has emerged as a dominant pathogenic factor in this disease. Indeed, it is likely that schizophrenia is a syndrome that is produced by the combination of many low penetrance risk factors. Pharmacological studies established that dopamine receptor antagonists are efficacious in treating the overt psychotic features (positive symptoms) of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions. Clozapine, an “atypical” antipsychotic drug, is novel because it is effective in treating both the positive and some of the negative symptoms of this disease. Clozapine's utility as a drug is greatly limited because continued use leads to an increased risk of agranulocytosis and seizure. No other antipsychotic drug is effective in treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. This is significant because the restoration of cognitive functioning is the best predictor of a successful clinical and functional outcome of schizophrenic patients (Green, M. F., Am J Psychiatry, 153:321-30, 1996). By extension, it is clear that better drugs are needed to treat the cognitive disorders of schizophrenia in order to restore a better state of mental health to patients with this disorder.

One aspect of the cognitive deficit of schizophrenia can be measured by using the auditory event-related potential (P50) test of sensory gating. In this test, electroencepholographic (EEG) recordings of neuronal activity of the hippocampus are used to measure the subject's response to a series of auditory “clicks” (Adler, L. E. et. al., Biol. Psychiatry, 46:8-18, 1999). Normal individuals respond to the first click with greater degree than to the second click. In general, schizophrenics and schizotypal patients respond to both clicks nearly the same (Cullum, C. M. et. al., Schizophr. Res., 10:131-41, 1993). These data reflect a schizophrenic's inability to “filter” or ignore unimportant information. The sensory gating deficit appears to be one of the key pathological features of this disease (Cadenhead, K. S. et. al., Am. J. Psychiatry, 157:55-9, 2000). Multiple studies show that nicotine normalizes the sensory deficit of schizophrenia (Adler, L. E. et. al., Am. J. Psychiatry, 150:1856-61, 1993). Pharmacological studies indicate that nicotine's effect on sensory gating is via the α7 nAChR (Adler, L. E. et. al., Schizophr. Bull., 24:189-202, 1998). Indeed, the biochemical data indicate that schizophrenics have 50% fewer of α7 nAChR receptors in the hippocampus, thus giving a rationale to partial loss of α7 nAChR functionality (Freedman, R. et. al., Biol. Psychiatry, 38:22-33, 1995). Interestingly, genetic data indicate that a polymorphism in the promoter region of the α7 nAChR gene is strongly associated with the sensory gating deficit in schizophrenia (Freedman, R. et. al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 94(2):587-92, 1997; Myles-Worsley, M. et. al., Am. J. Med. Genet, 88(5):544-50, 1999). To date, no mutation in the coding region of the α7 nAChR has been identified. Thus, schizophrenics express the same α7 nAChR as non-schizophrenics.

Selective α7 nAChR agonists may be found using a functional assay on FLIPR (see WO 00/73431 A2). FLIPR is designed to read the fluorescent signal from each well of a 96 or 384 well plate as fast as twice a second for up to 30 min. This assay may be used to accurately measure the functional pharmacology of α7 nAChR and 5HT₃R. To conduct such an assay, one uses cell lines that expressed functional forms of the α7 nAChR using the α7/5-HT₃ channel as the drug target and cell lines that expressed functional 5HT₃R. In both cases, the ligand-gated ion channel was expressed in SH-EP1 cells. Both ion channels can produce robust signal in the FLIPR assay.

The compounds of the present invention are α7 nAChR agonists and may be used to treat a wide variety of diseases. For example, they may be used in treating schizophrenia, or psychosis.

Schizophrenia is a disease having multiple aspects. Currently available drugs are generally aimed at controlling the positive aspects of schizophrenia, such as delusions. One drug, Clozapine, is aimed at a broader spectrum of symptoms associated with schizophrenia. This drug has many side effects and is thus not suitable for many patients. Thus, there is a need for a drug to treat the cognitive and attention deficits associated with schizophrenia. Similarly, there is a need for a drug to treat the cognitive and attention deficits associated with schizoaffective disorders, or similar symptoms found in the relatives of schizophrenic patients.

Psychosis is a mental disorder characterized by gross impairment in the patient's perception of reality. The patient may suffer from delusions, and hallucinations, and may be incoherent in speech. His behavior may be agitated and is often incomprehensible to those around him. In the past, the term psychosis has been applied to many conditions that do not meet the stricter definition given above. For example, mood disorders were named as psychoses.

There are a variety of antipsychotic drugs. The conventional antipsychotic drugs include Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Haloperidol, Loxapine, Mesoridazine, Molindone, Perphenazine, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Thiothixene, and Trifluoperazine. These drugs all have an affinity for the dopamine 2 receptor.

These conventional antipsychotic drugs have several side effects, including sedation, weight gain, tremors, elevated prolactin levels, akathisia (motor restlessness), dystonia and muscle stiffness. These drugs may also cause tardive dyskinesia. Unfortunately, only about 70% of patients with schizophrenia respond to conventional antipsychotic drugs. For these patients, atypical antipsychotic drugs are available.

Atypical antipsychotic drugs generally are able to alleviate positive symptoms of psychosis while also improving negative symptoms of the psychosis to a greater degree than conventional antipsychotics. These drugs may improve neurocognitive deficits. Extrapyramidal (motor) side effects are not as likely to occur with the atypical antipsychotic drugs, and thus, these atypical antipsychotic drugs have a lower risk of producing tardive dyskinesia. Finally these atypical antipsychotic drugs cause little or no elevation of prolactin. Unfortunately, these drugs are not free of side effects. Although these drugs each produce different side effects, as a group the side effects include: agranulocytosis; increased risk of seizures, weight gain, somnolence, dizziness, tachycardia, decreased ejaculatory volume, and mild prolongation of QTc interval.

In a combination therapy to treat multiple symptoms of diseases such as schizophrenia, the compounds of Formula I and the anti-psychotic drugs can be administered simultaneously or at separate intervals. When administered simultaneously the compounds of Formula I and the anti-psychotic drugs can be incorporated into a single pharmaceutical composition, e.g., a pharmaceutical combination therapy composition. Alternatively, two separate compositions, i.e., one containing compounds of Formula I and the other containing anti-psychotic drugs, can be administered simultaneously. Examples of anti-psychotic drugs, in addition to those listed above, include, but are not limited to, Thorazine, Mellaril, Trilafon, Navane, Stelazine, Permitil, Prolixin, Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, ZELDOX, Acetophenazine, Carphenazine, Chlorprothixene, Droperidol, Loxapine, Mesoridazine, Molindone, Ondansetron, Pimozide, Prochlorperazine, and Promazine.

A pharmaceutical combination therapy composition can include therapeutically effective amounts of the compounds of Formula I, noted above, and a therapeutically effective amount of anti-psychotic drugs. These compositions may be formulated with common excipients, diluents or carriers, and compressed into tablets, or formulated elixirs or solutions for convenient oral administration or administered by intramuscular intravenous routes. The compounds can be administered rectally, topically, orally, sublingually, or parenterally and maybe formulated as sustained relief dosage forms and the like.

When separately administered, therapeutically effective amounts of compositions containing compounds of Formula I and anti-psychotic drugs are administered on a different schedule. One may be administered before the other as long as the time between the two administrations falls within a therapeutically effective interval. A therapeutically effective interval is a period of time beginning when one of either (a) the compounds of Formula I, or (b) the anti-psychotic drugs is administered to a human and ending at the limit of the beneficial effect in the treatment of schizophrenia or psychosis of the combination of (a) and (b). The methods of administration of the compounds of Formula I and the anti-psychotic drugs may vary. Thus, either agent or both agents may be administered rectally, topically, orally, sublingually, or parenterally.

As discussed, the compounds of the present invention are α7 nAChR agonists. Therefore, as another aspect of the present invention, the compounds of the present invention may be used to treat a variety of diseases including cognitive and attention deficit symptoms of Alzheimer's, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, pre-senile dementia (also known as mild cognitive impairment), and senile dementia.

Alzheimer's disease has many aspects, including cognitive and attention deficits. Currently, these deficits are treated with cholinesterase inhibitors. These inhibitors slow the break down of acetylcholine, and thereby provide a general nonspecific increase in the activity of the cholinergic nervous system. Since the drugs are nonspecific, they have a wide variety of side effects. Thus, there is a need for a drug that stimulates a portion of the cholinergic pathways and thereby provides improvement in the cognitive and attention deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease without the side effects created by nonspecific stimulation of the cholinergic pathways.

Neurodegeneration is a common problem associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. While the current drugs treat some of the symptoms of this disease, they do not control the underlying pathology of the disease. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a drug that can slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease.

Pre-senile dementia (mild cognitive impairment) concerns memory impairment rather than attention deficit problems and otherwise unimpaired cognitive functioning. Mild cognitive impairment is distinguished from senile dementia in that mild cognitive impairment involves a more persistent and troublesome problem of memory loss for the age of the patient. There currently is no medication specifically identified for treatment of mild cognitive impairment, due somewhat to the newness of identifying the disease. Therefore, there is a need for a drug to treat the memory problems associated with mild cognitive impairment.

Senile dementia is not a single disease state. However, the conditions classified under this name frequently include cognitive and attention deficits. Generally, these deficits are not treated. Accordingly, there is a need for a drug that provides improvement in the cognitive and attention deficits associated with senile dementia.

As discussed, the compounds of the present invention are α7 nAChR agonists. Therefore, yet other diseases to be treated with compounds of the present invention include treating the cognitive and attention deficits as well as the neurodegeneration associated with any one or more or combination of the following: attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, general anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, mood and affective disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, borderline personality disorder, traumatic brain injury, behavioral and cognitive problems associated with brain tumors, AIDS dementia complex, dementia associated with Down's syndrome, dementia associated with Lewy Bodies, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, tardive dyskinesia, Pick's disease, dysregulation of food intake including bulemia and anorexia nervosa, withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation and dependant drug cessation, Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, neurodegeneration associated with glaucoma, or symptoms associated with pain.

Attention deficit disorder is generally treated with methylphenidate, an amphetamine-like molecule that has some potential for abuse. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a drug that treats attention deficit disorder while having fewer side effects than the currently used drug.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, is a neurobehavioral disorder affecting 3-5% of all American children. ADHD concerns cognitive alone or both cognitive and behavioral actions by interfering with a person's ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition. Several types of ADHD exist: a predominantly inattentive subtype, a predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype, and a combined subtype. Treatment may include medications such as methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, or pemoline, which act to decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity and to increase attention. No “cure” for ADHD currently exists. Children with the disorder seldom outgrow it; therefore, there is a need for appropriate medicaments.

Depression is a mood disorder of varying lengths of normally several months to more than two years and of varying degrees of feelings involving sadness, despair, and discouragement. The heterocyclic antidepressants (HCA's) are currently the largest class of antidepressants, but monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's) are used in particular types of depression. Common side effects from HCA's are sedation and weight gain. In elderly patients with organic brain disease, the side effects from HCA's can also include seizures and behavioral symptoms. The main side effects from using MAOI's occur from dietary and drug interactions. Therefore, agents with fewer side effects would be useful.

Anxiety disorders (disorders with prominent anxiety or phobic avoidance), represent an area of umet medical needs in the treatment of psychiatric illness. See Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, IV (1994), pp 393-394, for various disease forms of anxiety.

General anxiety disorder (GAD) occurs when a person worries about things such as family, health, or work when there is no reason to worry and is unable not to worry. About 3 to 4% of the U.S. population has GAD during the course of a year. GAD most often strikes people in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood, too. It affects women more often than men. Currently, treatment involves cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback to control muscle tension and medications such as benzodiazepines, imipramine, and buspirone. These drugs are effective but all have side-effect liabilities. Therefore, there is a need of a pharmaceutical agent to address the symptoms with fewer side effects.

Anxiety also includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a form of anxiety triggered by memories of a traumatic event that directly affected the patient or that the patient may have witnessed. The disorder commonly affects survivors of traumatic events including sexual assault, physical assault, war, torture, natural disasters, an automobile accident, an airplane crash, a hostage situation, or a death camp. The affliction also can affect rescue workers at an airplane crash or a mass shooting, someone who witnessed a tragic accident or someone who has unexpectedly lost a loved one. Treatment for PTSD includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, group psychotherapy, and medications such as Clonazepam, Lorazepam and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine, Citalopram and Fluvoxamine. These medications help control anxiety as well as depression. Various forms of exposure therapy (such as systemic desensitization and imaginal flooding) have all been used with PTSD patients. Exposure treatment for PTSD involves repeated reliving of the trauma, under controlled conditions, with the aim of facilitating the processing of the trauma. Therefore, there is a need for better pharmaceutical agents to treat post traumatic stress disorder.

Mood and affective disorders fall within a large group of diseases, including monopolar depression and bi-polar mood disorder. These diseases are treated with three major classes of compounds. The first group is the heterocyclic antidepressant (HCA's). This group includes the well-known tricyclic antidepressants. The second group of compounds used to treat mood disorders is the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's) that are used in particular types of diseases. The third drug is lithium. Common side effects from HCA's are sedation and weight gain. In elderly patients with organic brain disease, the side effects of HCA's can also include seizures and behavioral symptoms. The main side effects from using MAOI's occur from dietary and drug interactions. Benign side effects from the use of lithium include, but are not limited to, weight gain, nausea, diarrhea, polyuria, polydipsia, and tremor. Toxic side effects from lithium can include persistent headache, mental confusion. and may reach seizures and cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, agents with less side effects or interactions with food or other medications would be useful.

Borderline personality disorder, although not as well known as bipolar disorder, is more common. People having borderline personality disorder suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation. Pharmaceutical agents are used to treat specific symptoms, such as depression or thinking distortions.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) results from an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus attacks selected cells and impairs the proper function of the immune, nervous, and other systems. HIV infection can cause other problems such as, but not limited to, difficulties in thinking, otherwise known as AIDS dementia complex. Therefore, there is a need to drugs to relieve the confusion and mental decline of persons with AIDS.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, belongs to a class of disorders known as motor neuron diseases wherein specific nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord gradually degenerate to negatively affect the control of voluntary movement. Currently, there is no cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis although patients may receive treatment from some of their symptoms and although Riluzole has been shown to prolong the survival of patients. Therefore, there is a need for a pharmaceutical agent to treat this disease.

Traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is damaged from a sudden physical assault on the head. Symptoms of the traumatic brain injury include confusion and other cognitive problems. Therefore, there is a need to address the symptoms of confusion and other cognitive problems.

Brain tumors are abnormal growths of tissue found inside of the skull. Symptoms of brain tumors include behavioral and cognitive problems. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are used to treat the tumor, but other agents are necessary to address associated symptoms. Therefore, there is a need to address the symptoms of behavioral and cognitive problems.

Persons with Down's syndrome have in all or at least some of their cells an extra, critical portion of the number 21 chromosome. Adults who have Down's syndrome are known to be at risk for Alzheimer-type dementia. Currently, there is no proven treatment for Down's syndrome. Therefore, there is a need to address the dementia associated with Down's syndrome.

Genetically programmed degeneration of neurons in certain areas of the brain cause Huntington's disease. Early symptoms of Huntington's disease include mood swings, or trouble learning new things or remembering a fact. Most drugs used to treat the symptoms of Huntington's disease have side effects such as fatigue, restlessness, or hyperexcitability. Currently, there is no treatment to stop or reverse the progression of Huntington's disease. Therefore, there is a need of a pharmaceutical agent to address the symptoms with fewer side effects.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies is a neurodegenerative disorder involving abnormal structures known as Lewy bodies found in certain areas of the brain. Symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies include, but are not limited to, fluctuating cognitive impairment with episodic delirium. Currently, treatment concerns addressing the parkinsonian and psychiatric symptoms. However, medicine to control tremors or loss of muscle movement may actually accentuate the underlying disease of dementia with Lewy bodies. Therefore, there is a need of a pharmaceutical agent to treat dementia with Lewy bodies.

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by tremor, hypokinesia, and muscular rigidity. Currently, there is no treatment to stop the progression of the disease. Therefore, there is a need of a pharmaceutical agent to address Parkinson's.

Tardive dyskinesia is associated with the use of conventional antipsychotic drugs. This disease is characterized by involuntary movements most often manifested by puckering of the lips and tongue and/or writhing of the arms or legs. The incidence of tardive dyskinesia is about 5% per year of drug exposure among patients taking conventional antipsychotic drugs. In about 2% of persons with the disease, tardive dyskinesia is severely disfiguring. Currently, there is no generalized treatment for tardive dyskinesia. Furthermore, the removal of the effect-causing drugs is not always an option due to underlying problems. Therefore, there is a need for a pharmaceutical agent to address the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.

Pick's disease results from a slowly progressive deterioration of social skills and changes in personality with the resulting symptoms being impairment of intellect, memory, and language. Common symptoms include memory loss, lack of spontaneity, difficulty in thinking or concentrating, and speech disturbances. Currently, there is no specific treatment or cure for Pick's disease but some symptoms can be treated with cholinergic and serotonin-boosting antidepressants. In addition, antipsychotic medications may alleviate symptoms in FTD patients who are experiencing delusions or hallucinations. Therefore, there is a need for a pharmaceutical agent to treat the progressive deterioration of social skills and changes in personality and to address the symptoms with fewer side effects.

Dysregulation of food intake associated with eating disease, including bulemia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, involve neurophysiological pathways. Anorexia nervosa is hard to treat due to patients not entering or remaining in after entering programs. Currently, there is no effective treatment for persons suffering from severe anorexia nervosa. Cognitive behavioral therapy has helped patients suffering from bulemia nervosa; however, the response rate is only about 50% and current treatment does not adequately address emotional regulation. Therefore, there is a need for pharmaceutical agents to address neurophysiological problems underlying diseases of dysregulation of food intake.

Cigarette smoking has been recognized as a major public health problem for a long time. However, in spite of the public awareness of health hazard, the smoking habit remains extraordinarily persistent and difficult to break. There are many treatment methods available, and yet people continue to smoke. Administration of nicotine transdermally, or in a chewing gum base is common treatments. However, nicotine has a large number of actions in the body, and thus can have many side effects. It is clear that there is both a need and a demand of long standing for a convenient and relatively easy method for aiding smokers in reducing or eliminating cigarette consumption. A drug that could selectively stimulate only certain of the nicotinic receptors would be useful in smoke cessation programs.

Smoke cessation programs may involve oral dosing of the drug of choice. The drug may be in the form of tablets. However, it is preferred to administer the daily dose over the waking hours, by administration of a series of incremental doses during the day. The preferred method of such administration is a slowly dissolving lozenge, troche, or chewing gum, in which the drug is dispersed. Another drug in treating nicotine addiction is Zyban. This is not a nicotine replacement, as are the gum and patch. Rather, this works on other areas of the brain, and its effectiveness is to help control nicotine craving or thoughts about cigarette use in people trying to quit. Zyban is not very effective and effective drugs are needed to assist smokers in their desire to stop smoking. These drugs may be administered transdermally through the use of skin patches. In certain cases, the drugs may be administered by subcutaneous injection, especially if sustained release formulations are used.

Drug use and dependence is a complex phenomenon, which cannot be encapsulated within a single definition. Different drugs have different effects, and therefore different types of dependence. Drug dependence has two basic causes, that is, tolerance and physical dependence. Tolerance exists when the user must take progressively larger doses to produce the effect originally achieved with smaller doses. Physical dependence exists when the user has developed a state of physiologic adaptation to a drug, and there is a withdrawal (abstinence) syndrome when the drug is no longer taken. A withdrawal syndrome can occur either when the drug is discontinued or when an antagonist displaces the drug from its binding site on cell receptors, thereby counteracting its effect. Drug dependence does not always require physical dependence.

In addition drug dependence often involves psychological dependence, that is, a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction when taking the drug. These feelings lead the user to repeat the drug experience or to avoid the displeasure of being deprived of the drug. Drugs that produce strong physical dependence, such as nicotine, heroin and alcohol are often abused, and the pattern of dependence is difficult to break. Drugs that produce dependence act on the CNS and generally reduce anxiety and tension; produce elation, euphoria, or other pleasurable mood changes; provide the user feelings of increased mental and physical ability; or alter sensory perception in some pleasurable manner. Among the drugs that are commonly abused are ethyl alcohol, opioids, anxiolytics, hypnotics, cannabis (marijuana), cocaine, amphetamines, and hallucinogens. The current treatment for drug-addicted people often involves a combination of behavioral therapies and medications. Medications, such as methadone or LAAM (levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol), are effective in suppressing the withdrawal symptoms and drug craving associated with narcotic addiction, thus reducing illicit drug use and improving the chances of the individual remaining in treatment. The primary medically assisted withdrawal method for narcotic addiction is to switch the patient to a comparable drug that produces milder withdrawal symptoms, and then gradually taper off the substitute medication. The medication used most often is methadone, taken orally once a day. Patients are started on the lowest dose that prevents the more severe signs of withdrawal and then the dose is gradually reduced. Substitutes can be used also for withdrawal from sedatives. Patients can be switched to long-acting sedatives, such as diazepam or phenobarbital, which are then gradually reduced.

Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder. The disorder is characterized by uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics and involuntary movements. The symptoms generally manifest in an individual before the person is 18 years of age. The movement disorder may begin with simple tics that progress to multiple complex tics, including respiratory and vocal ones. Vocal tics may begin as grunting or barking noises and evolve into compulsive utterances. Coprolalia (involuntary scatologic utterances) occurs in 50% of patients. Severe tics and coprolalia may be physically and socially disabling. Tics tend to be more complex than myoclonus, but less flowing than choreic movements, from which they must be differentiated. The patient may voluntarily suppress them for seconds or minutes.

Currently simple tics are often treated with benzodiazepines. For simple and complex tics, Clonidine may be used. Long-term use of Clonidine does not cause tardive dyskinesia; its limiting adverse effect is hypotension. In more severe cases, antipsychotics, such as Haloperidol may be required, but side effects of dysphoria, parkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia may limit use of such antipsychotics. There is a need for safe and effective methods for treating this syndrome.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease of the macula which is a tiny area in the retina that helps produce sharp, central vision required for “straight ahead” activities that include reading and driving. Persons with AMD lose their clear, central vision. AMD takes two forms: wet and dry. In dry AMD, there is a slow breakdown of light-sensing cells in the macula. There currently is no cure for dry AMD. In wet AMD, new, fragile blood vessels growing beneath the macula as dry AMD worsens and these vessels often leak blood and fluid to cause rapid damage to the macula quickly leading to the loss of central vision. Laser surgery can treat some cases of wet AMD. Therefore, there is a need of a pharmaceutical agent to address AMD.

Glaucoma is within a group of diseases occurs from an increase in intraocular pressure causing pathological changes in the optical disk and negatively affects the field of vision. Medicaments to treat glaucoma either decrease the amount of fluid entering the eye or increase drainage of fluids from the eye in order to decrease intraocular pressure. However, current drugs have drawbacks such as not working over time or causing side effects so the eye-care professional has to either prescribe other drugs or modify the prescription of the drug being used. There is a need for safe and effective methods for treating problems manifesting into glaucoma.

Ischemic periods in glaucoma cause release of excitotoxic amino acids and stimulate inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) leading to neurodegeneration. Alpha 7 nicotinic agonists may stimulate the release of inhibitory amino acids such as GABA which will dampen hyperexcitablity. Alpha 7 nicotinic agonists are also directly neuroprotective on neuronal cell bodies. Thus alpha 7 nicotinic agonists have the potential to be neuroprotective in glaucoma.

Persons afflicted with pain often have what is referred to as the “terrible triad” of suffering from the pain, resulting in sleeplessness and sadness, all of which are hard on the afflicted individual and that individual's family. Pain can manifest itself in various forms, including, but not limited to, headaches of all severity, back pain, neurogenic, and pain from other ailments such as arthritis and cancer from its existence or from therapy to irradicate it. Pain can be either chronic (persistent pain for months or years) or acute (short-lived, immediate pain to inform the person of possible injury and need of treatment). Persons suffering from pain respond differently to individual therapies with varying degrees of success. There is a need for safe and effective methods for treating pain.

Finally, the compounds of the present invention may be used in combination therapy with typical and atypical anti-psychotic drugs (also called an anti-psychotic agent). All compounds within the present invention are useful for and may also be used in combination with each other to prepare pharmaceutical compositions. Such combination therapy lowers the effective dose of the anti-psychotic drug and thereby reduces the side effects of the anti-psychotic drugs. Some typical anti-psychotic drugs that may be used in the practice of the invention include Haldol. Some atypical anti-psychotic drugs include Ziprasidone, Olanzapine, Resperidone, and Quetiapine.

Compounds of Formula I can be prepared as shown in Scheme 1. The key step in the preparation of this class of compounds is the coupling of an azabicyclic moiety with the requisite acid chloride (Lv=Cl), mixed anhydride (e.g., Lv=diphenyl phosphoryl, bis(2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl)phosphinyl, or acyloxy of the general formula of O—C(O)—R_(Lv), where R_(Lv) includes phenyl or t-butyl), or carboxylic acid (Lv=OH) in the presence of an activating reagent. Suitable activating reagents are well known in the art, for examples see Kiso, Y., Yajima, H. “Peptides” pp. 39-91, San Diego, Calif., Academic Press, (1995), and include, but are not limited to, agents such as carboduimides, phosphonium and uronium salts (such as HATU).

wherein W⁰ is:

Generally, the acid is activated using HATU or is converted to the acyl azide by using DPPA. The appropriate amine salt is added in the presence of excess DIEA to a solution of the appropriate anhydride or acyl azide to give the desired final compounds. In some cases, the ester (Lv being OMe or OEt) may be reacted directly with the free based amine in refluxing methanol or ethanol to give the compounds of Formula I.

The intermediates Lv—C(═O)—W⁰ are known in the art or can be obtained using known procedures, making non-critical changes. For example, the preparation of 1,4-benzodioxane-6-carboxylic acid is known. See, e.g., Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1873, 168, 99. Starting with the appropriate 5,7-disubstituted benzodioxane intermediate, the intermediate carboxylic acids can be obtained where R₃ is other than H. Such procedures are known in the art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the requisite carboxylic acids can be obtained through synthesis via literature procedures or through the slight modification thereof. For example, compounds of Formula I where W is N and Y and Z are O, can be obtained as follows:

Acid A can be prepared from ethyl 4,5-dihydroxypyridine-2-carboxylate (see Z. Naturfirsch, 34b, 1729-1736, 1979). Alkylation with 1,2-dibromoethane gives B. Saponification of B with aqueous NaOH would provide the requisite carboxylic acid A. The resulting acid is coupled with an Azabicyclo using conditions described herein.

Substituents can be introduced for R₄ or R₆ where W is CH and Z and Y are each O as described in Taniguchi, Eiji, et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 56 (4), 630-635, 1992. See also Henning, R.; Lattrell, R.; Gerhards, H. J.; Leven, M.; J.Med.Chem.; 30; 5; 1987; 814-819. This is also applicable to make the final compounds where W is N, starting with ethyl 4,5-dihydroxypyridine-2-carboxylate to obtain the ester intermediate which could be saponified and then coupled with the appropriate Azabicyclo precursor to give the desired compound, e.g.,:

Furthermore, where W is N, the compounds where one R₄ is a bond to CR_(Z) or where one R₆ is a bond to CR_(Y), the compounds can be obtained using methods described herein for W is CH, making non-critical changes. Moreover, where at least one R₄ and/or at least one R₆ is other than H and is not a bond, the compounds can be obtained using methods described herein for where W is CH.

Compounds where W is N, only one of Z or Y is O, R₃ is other than H, and one of R₄ or R₆ is a bond, can be obtained as discussed herein using procedures for where W is CH. For example, 2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-vinylpyridin-3-ol could be converted into (8-chloro-2-methyl-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridin-6-yl)methanol using the procedures outlined in Example 17. The alcohol could be oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid which could then be coupled with the desired Azabicyclo precursor, e.g., 3(R)-aminoquinuclidine to give:

Similarly, (8-chloro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridin-6-yl)methanol can be oxidized to give 8-chloro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridin-6-carboxylic acid which could then be coupled with the desired Azabicyclo precursor, e.g., 3(R)-aminoquinuclidine to give:

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the methods described for the reaction of the unsubstituted 3-aminoquinuclidine (R₂ is absent) are equally applicable to substituted compounds (R₂ is present). Certain 6-substituted-[2.2.2]-3-amines (Azabicyclo I) are known in the art. The preparation of compounds where R₂ is at C-6 of the quinuclidine and is other than H is described in Acta Pol. Pharm. 1981, 179. Certain 2-substituted-[2.2.2]-3-amines (Azabicyclo I) are known in the art. The preparation of compounds where R₂ is at C-2 of the quinuclidine and is other than H is described in J. Med. Chem. 1975, 18, 587.

Alternatively, there are several methods by which the amine precursor for Azabicyclo I where R₂ is present can be obtained. Although the scheme depicted below is for compounds where R₂ is at the C-6 position of the quinuclidine, one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to obtain the quinuclidine with substitution at C-2 also. The substituted-[2.2.2]-3-amine can be prepared by reduction of an oxime or an imine of the corresponding substituted-3-quinuclidinone by methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see J. Labelled Compds. Radiopharm. 1995, 53; J. Med. Chem. 1998, 988; Synth. Commun. 1992, 1895; Synth. Commun. 1996, 2009). Alternatively, the substituted-[2.2.2]-3-amine can be prepared from a substituted-3-hydroxyquinuclidine by Mitsunobu reaction followed by deprotection as described in Synth. Commun. 1995, 1895. Alternatively, the substituted-[2.2.2]-3-amine can be prepared by conversion of a substituted-3-hydroxyquinuclidine into the corresponding mesylate or tosylate, followed by displacement with sodium azide and reduction as described in J. Med. Chem. 1975, 587.

The 2-substituted-3-quinuclidinones, where R₂ is substituted alkyl, or cycloalkyl can be prepared by known procedures (see Tett. Lett. 1972, 1015; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 1278; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1989,4548; Tetrahedron, 2000, 1139). The 2-substituted-3-quinuclidinones, where R₂ is aryl, can be prepared by palladium catalyzed arylation as described in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 1473 and J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 1360. The 6-substituted-3-quinuclidinones can be prepared by known procedures (see J. Gen. Chem. Russia 1963, 3791, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I 1991, 409, J. Org. Chem. 2000, 3982).

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the methods described for the reaction of the unsubstituted 3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (R₂ is absent) are equally applicable to substituted compounds (R₂ present). For where Azabicyclo is Azabicyclo II, compounds where R₂ is present can be prepared from appropriately substituted nitro alcohols using procedures described in Tetrahedron (1997), 53, p. 11121 as shown below. Methods to synthesize nitro alcohols are well known in the art (see J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1947), 69, p 2608). The scheme below is a modification of the synthesis of exo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane as the bis(hydro para-toluenesulfonate) salt, described in detail herein, to show how to obtain these amine precursors. The desired salt can be made using standard procedures.

Compounds for Azabicyclo II where R₂ is present at C-6 can also be prepared by modification of intermediates described in the synthesis of exo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane as the bis(hydro para-toluenesulfonate) salt, described in detail herein. For example, Int 6 can be oxidized to the aldehyde and treated with an organometallic reagent to provide Int 20 using procedures described in Tetrahedron (1999), 55, p 13899. Int 20 can be converted into the amine using methods described for the synthesis of exo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane as the bis(hydro para-toluenesulfonate) salt. Once the amine is obtained, the desired salt can be made using standard procedures.

The schemes used are for making exo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. However, the modifications discussed are applicable to make the endo isomer also.

Preferably, for Azabicyclo III and Azabicyclo IV, the acid is converted into a mixed anhydride by treatment with bis (2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl) phosphinic chloride in the presence of TEA with CH₂Ci₂ or CHCl₃ as the solvent. The resulting anhydride solution is directly reacted with 1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-amine added neat or using DMF or aqueous DMF as solvent. In some cases, the ester (Lv being OMe or OEt) may be reacted directly with the amine in refluxing methanol or ethanol to give the compounds of Formula I.

N-(2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept)-5-amine and 6-amine

where Lv can be —CH₂Ph, —CH(Me)Ph, —OH, —OMe, or —OCH₂Ph.

The respective amine precursors for Azabicyclo III and Azabicyclo IV can be prepared by reduction of an oxime or an imine of the corresponding N-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]-heptanone by methods known to one skilled in the art (see J. Labelled Compds. Radiopharm., 53-60 (1995), J. Med. Chem. 988-995, (1998), Synth. Commun. 1895-1911 (1992), Synth. Commun. 2009-2015 (1996)). The oximes can be prepared by treatment of the N-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of a base. The imines can be prepared by treatment of the N-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]-heptanones with a primary amine under dehydrating conditions. The N-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanones can be prepared by known procedures (see Tet. Lett. 1419-1422 (1999), J. Med. Chem. 2184-2191 (1992), J. Med. Chem. 706-720 (2000), J. Org. Chem., 4602-4616 (1995)).

The exo- and endo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-amines can be prepared from 1-azabicyclic[3.2.1]octan-3-one (Thill, B. P., Aaron, H. S., J. Org. Chem., 4376-4380 (1968)) according to the general procedure as discussed in Lewin, A. H., et al., J. Med. Chem., 988-995 (1998).

One of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the methods described for the reaction of the unsubstituted 1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-amine or 1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonan-3-amine (R₂ is absent) are equally applicable to substituted compounds (R₂ is present). The R₂ substituent may be introduced as known to one skilled in the art through standard alkylation chemistry. Exposure of 1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one or 1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonan-3-one to a hindered base such as LDA (lithium diisopropylamide) in a solvent such as THF or ether between 0° C. to −78° C. followed by the addition of an alkylating agent (R₂Lv, where Lv=Cl, Br, I, OTs, etc.) will, after being allowed to warm to about 0° C. to rt followed by an aqueous workup, provide the desired compound as a mixture of isomers. Chromatographic resolution (flash, HPLC, or chiral HPLC) provides the desired purified alkylated ketones. From there, formation of the oxime and subsequent reduction will provide the desired stereoisomers.

Thioamides can be prepared from the requisite thioester by direct displacement of the thioester with the amino-azabicyclic moieties described herein. The thioester can be prepared as described in J. Organometallic Chem., 95-98 (1987). One of ordinary skill in the art would quickly identify that these compounds could also be prepared directly from the amides exemplified throughout this patent by direct treatment with a reagent such and Lawesson's reagent (see Lawesson et. al. in Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg., 229 (1978)) (Scheme 2) or P₄S₁₀ (see Chem. Rev., 45 (1961)).

Preparation of N-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-amine dihydrochloride

A mixture of 2-methylene-3-quinuclidinone dihydrate hydrochloride (27.18 g, 0.1296 mol, 1 eq) and K₂CO₃ (86.0 g, 0.6213 mol, 4.8 eq) is dissolved in 130 mL water and 250 mL CH₂Cl₂ and stirred vigorously. After 3 days, the layers are separated and the aqueous layer is extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers are dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to give 17.8 g (100%) of 2-methylenequinuclidin-3-one as a yellow oil. MS (ESI) for C₈H₁₁NO m/z 138.1 (M⁺).

2-Methylenequinuclidin-3-one (17.8 g, 0.1296 mol, 1 eq) is dissolved in 40 mL MeOH in a Parr hydrogenation bottle. A THF slurry of 10% Pd/C (0.57 g) is added. The mixture is hydrogenated for 45 min at 45 psi, recharging as needed. The mixture is filtered through a pad of Celite. The Celite is washed with excess MeOH. The solution is concentrated to give a solid and a yellow oil. The mixture is taken up in ether, filtered and concentrated to provide 16.2 g (90%) of 2-methylquinuclidin-3-one. MS (ESI) for C₈H₁₃NO m/z 140.2 (M⁺).

2-Methylquinuclidin-3-one (39.59 g, 0.2844 mol, 1 eq) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (20.0 g, 0.2878 mol, 1.01 eq) are dissolved in 170 mL absolute EtOH. The mixture is heated under reflux until a clear solution develops (about 20 min), after which is immediately followed by formation of a white precipitate. The reaction is cooled and allowed to stand overnight. The mixture is cooled in an ice bath, the solids are filtered and dried (house vacuum) to provide 46.4 g of (3E/Z)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-one oxime hydrochloride. A second crop of 2.4 g is also obtained. Overall yield is 48.8 g (90%). The 2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-one oxime hydrochloride is a 4:1 mixture of oxime isomers. MS (ESI) for C₈H₁₄N₂O m/z 154.8 (M⁺). Partial ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 4.39 (0.2H), 4.29 (0.8H), 1.57 (0.6H), 1.47 (2.4H).

A solution of sodium n-propoxide (prepared from 5.5 g sodium (0.24 mol) and 100 mL n-propanol) is added dropwise to a suspension of (3E/Z)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-one oxime hydrochloride (45.8 g, 0.24 mol, 1 eq) in 150 mL n-propanol. After complete addition, 250 mL of n-propanol is added, and the mixture is heated under reflux. Sodium (55.2 g, 2.40 mol, 10 eq) is added in portions to the refluxing mixture. The mixture is heated under reflux overnight. After about 14 h, the mixture is cooled, water is added and the layers are separated. The n-propanol layer is washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). The combined aqueous layers are extracted with CHCl₃ and dried (MgSO₄). The combined, dried organic layers are treated with about 70 mL concentrated HCl. The solvent is removed in vacuo. Absolute EtOH is added, and the solvent is removed. The sequence is repeated 2-3 times with fresh EtOH until a white solid formed. Absolute EtOH is added, the solids are filtered and dried (vacuum oven, about 60° C.) to provide 36.5 g of trans 3-amino-2-methylquinuclidine dihydrochloride. MS (ESI) for C₈H₁₆N₂ m/z 141.3 (M⁺). Additional material is obtained from the mother liquor: 7.8 g (2^(nd) crop) and 1.5 g (3^(rd) crop); this material is a mixture of both trans and cis isomers.

4-Chlorobenzoic acid (26.3 g, 0.1681 mol, 1.1 eq) and TEA (106 mL, 0.764 mol, 5 eq.) are dissolved in 300 mL THF. Diphenylphosphoryl chloride (32.0 mL, 0.1681 mol, 1.1 eq) is added dropwise. After 1 h, trans 2-methylquinuclidin-3-amine dihydrochloride (32.6 g, 0.1528 mol, 1 eq) is added. The mixture is allowed to stir at RT overnight. 1N NaOH (about 100 mL) is added, and the pH is adjusted to pH 11 with 50% NaOH and about 50 g K₂CO₃. The layers are separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with CHCl₃. The combined organic layers are dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue is taken up in heptane and concentrated to give 35.1 g (82%) of 4-chloro-N-(2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)phenyl-2-carboxamide as a light yellow solid. The enantiomers are separated on a 5×50 cm Chiralcel OD column at 30° C., eluting with 15% IPA/heptane+0.1% DEA at 90 mL/min to provide 17.4 g of 4-chloro-N-[(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]benzamide at about 97% ee. The p-TsOH salt is prepared and recrystallized from EtOH/EtOAc. [α]²⁵ _(D)=+3° (c 0.96, methanol). HRMS (FAB) calcd for C₁₅H₁₉ClN₂O+H 279.1264, found 279.1272.

A solution of 4-chloro-N-[(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]benzamide (17.2 g, 61.7 mmol) in absolute EtOH (70 mL) and concentrated HCl (70 mL) is heated under reflux for about 64 h. The reaction is monitored for disappearance of starting amide by reverse phase HPLC (ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C8, 4.6 mm×15 cm, 80:12:8 H₂O/CH₃CN/IPA). The solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved/suspended in EtOH and the solvent is removed (twice). The solid is suspended in boiling EtOH, filtered and dried (vacuum oven, about 60° C.) to provide 8.8 g (67%) of N-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-amine dihydrochloride as a white solid. MS (EI) m/z 141.2 (M⁺).

Preparation of the 2.2.1 Amines

Synthesis of exo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane as the bis(hydro para-toluenesulfonate)salt

Step A. Preparation of 2-(benzoyloxy)-1-nitroethane (Int 1).

Benzoyl chloride (14.9 mL, 128 mmol) is added to a stirred solution of nitroethanol (9.2 mL, 128 mmol) in dry benzene (120 mL). The solution is refluxed for 24 hr and then concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (80:20) affords Int 1 as a white solid (68% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.0, 7.6, 7.4, 4.9, 4.8.

Step B. Preparation of ethyl E-4-(benzylamino)-2-butenoate (Int 2).

Ethyl E-4-bromo-2-butenoate (10 mL, 56 mmol, tech grade) is added to a stirred solution of benzylamine (16 mL, 146 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) at rt. The reaction mixture stirs for 15 min, and is diluted with ether (1 L). The mixture is washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (3×) and water, dried (Na₂SO₄). filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (70:30) affords Int 2 as a clear oil (62% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.4-7.2, 7.0, 6.0, 4.2, 3.8, 3.4, 2.1-1.8, 1.3.

Step C. Preparation of trans-4-nitro-1-(phenylmethyl)-3-pyrrolidineacetic acid ethyl ester (Int 3).

A solution of Int 1 (6.81 g, 34.9 mmol) and Int 2 (7.65 g, 34.9 mmol) in EtOH (70 mL) stirs at rt for 15 h and is then concentrated in vacuo. The residue is diluted with ether (100 mL) and saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (100 mL). The organic layer is separated and dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (85:15) affords Int 3 as a clear oil (76% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.4-7.3, 4.8-4.7, 4.1, 3.8-3.6, 3.3-3.0, 2.7-2.6, 2.4-2.3, 1.2.

Step D. Preparation of trans-4-amino-1-(phenylmethyl)-3-pyrrolidineacetic acid ethyl ester (Int 4).

A mixture of Int 3 (3.28 g, 11.2 mmol) and RaNi (1.5 g) in EtOH (100 mL) is placed in a Parr bottle and hydrogenated for 4 h under an atmosphere of hydrogen (46 psi) at rt. The mixture is filtered through a pad of Celite, and the solvent is removed in vacuo to afford Int 4 as a clear oil (100% yield): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.3-7.2, 4.1, 3.6, 3.2, 3.0-2.9, 2.8, 2.8-2.6, 2.6-2.4, 2.30-2.2, 1.2.

Step E. Preparation of trans-4-(1,1-dimethylethoxycarbonylamido)-1-(phenylmethyl)-3-pyrrolidineacetic acid ethyl ester (Int 5).

Di-tert-butyldicarbonate (3.67 g, 16.8 mmol) is added to a stirred solution of Int 4 (2.94 g, 11.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) cooled in an ice bath. The reaction is allowed to warm to rt and stirred overnight. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (80:20) affords Int 5 as a white solid (77% yield): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.4-7.2, 5.1-4.9, 4.1, 4.0-3.8, 3.6, 3.2-3.0, 2.8-2.6, 2.5-2.4, 2.3-2.1, 1.4, 1.3.

Step F. Preparation of trans (tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-(N-phenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (Int 6).

LiAlH₄ powder (627 mg, 16.5 mmol) is added in small portions to a stirred solution of Int 5 (3.0 g, 8.3 mmol) in anhydrous THF (125 mL) in a −5° C. bath. The mixture is stirred for 20 min in a −5° C. bath, then quenched by the sequential addition of water (0.6 mL), 15% (w/v) aqueous NaOH (0.6 mL) and water (1.8 mL). Excess anhydrous K₂CO₃ is added, and the mixture is stirred for 1 h, then filtered. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with EtOAc affords Int 6 as a white solid (94% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.4-7.3, 5.3-5.2, 4.1-4.0, 3.9-3.7, 3.3-3.2, 2.8-2.7, 2.3-2.1, 1.7, 1.5.

Int 6 is a racemic mixture that can be resolved via chromatography using a Diacel chiral pack AD column. From the two enantiomers thus obtained, the (+)-enantiomer, [α]²⁵ _(D)+35 (c 1.0, MeOH), gives rise to the corresponding optically pure exo-4-S final compounds, whereas the (−)-enantiomer, [α]²⁵ _(D)−34 (c 0.98, MeOH), gives rise to optically pure exo-4-R final compounds. The methods described herein use the (+)-enantiomer of Int 6 to obtain the optically pure exo-4-S final compounds. However, the methods used are equally applicable to the (−)-enantiomer of Int 6, making non-critical changes to the methods provided herein to obtain the optically pure exo-4-R final compounds.

Step G. Preparation of exo 3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (Int 7).

TEA (8.0 g, 78.9 mml) is added to a stirred solution of Int 6 (2.5 g, 7.8 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL), and the reaction is cooled in an ice-water bath. CH₃SO₂Cl (5.5 g, 47.8 mmol) is then added dropwise, and the mixture is stirred for 10 min in an ice-water bath. The resulting yellow mixture is diluted with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution, extracted with CH₂Cl₂ several times until no product remains in the aqueous layer by TLC. The organic layers are combined, washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in EtOH (85 mL) and is heated to reflux for 16 h. The reaction mixture is allowed to cool to rt, transferred to a Parr bottle and treated with 10% Pd/C catalyst (1.25 g). The bottle is placed under an atmosphere of hydrogen (53 psi) for 16 h. The mixture is filtered through Celite, and fresh catalyst (10% Pd/C, 1.25 g) is added. Hydrogenolysis continues overnight. The process is repeated three more times until the hydrogenolysis is complete. The final mixture is filtered through Celite and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with CHCl₃—MeOH—NH₄OH (90:9.5:0.5) affords Int 7 as a white solid (46% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.6-5.5, 3.8-3.7, 3.3-3.2, 2.8-2.7, 2.0-1.8, 1.7-1.5, 1.5.

Step H. Preparation of exo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane bis(hydro-para-toluenesulfonate).

Para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (1.46 g, 7.68 mmol) is added to a stirred solution of Int 7 (770 mg, 3.63 mmol) in EtOH (50 mL). The reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 10 h, followed by cooling to rt. The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration and washed with cold EtOH to give exo-[2.2.1]-Amine as a white solid (84% yield): ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ 7.7, 7.3, 3.9-3.7, 3.7-3.3, 3.2, 2.4, 2.3-2.2, 1.9-1.8. The corresponding amines can be obtained by using the resolved Int 6 to give exo-(4R)-[2.2.1]-3-Amine and exo-(4S)-[2.2.1]-3-Amine.

Synthesis of endo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane as the bis(hydro para-toluenesulfonate)salt

Step I. Preparation of ethyl 5-hydroxy-6-oxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-carboxylate (Int 10).

Absolute EtOH (92.0 mL, 1.58 mol) is added to a mechanically stirred suspension of potassium ethoxide (33.2 g, 395 mmol) in dry toluene (0.470 L). When the mixture is homogeneous, 2-pyrrolidinone (33.6 g, 395 mmol) is added, and then a solution of diethyl oxalate (53.1 mL, 390 mmol) in toluene (98 mL) is added via an addition funnel. After complete addition, toluene (118 mL) and EtOH (78 mL) are added sequentially. The mixture is heated to reflux for 18 h. The mixture is cooled to rt and aqueous HCl (150 mL of a 6.0 M solution) is added. The mixture is mechanically stirred for 15 min. The aqueous layer is extracted with CH₂Cl₂, and the combined organic layers are dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a yellow residue. The residue is recrystallized from EtOAc to afford Int 10 as a yellow solid (38% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.4, 7.4, 4.3, 3.4, 2.6, 1.3.

Step J. Preparation of ethyl cis-3-hydroxy-2-oxopiperidine-4-carboxylate (Int 11).

A mixture of Int 10 (15 g, 81 mmol) and 5% rhodium on carbon (2.0 g) in glacial acetic acid is placed under an atmosphere of hydrogen (52 psi). The mixture is shaken for 72 h. The mixture is filtered through Celite, and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to afford Int 11 as a white solid (98% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 6.3, 4.2, 4.0-3.8, 3.4, 3.3-3.2, 2.2, 1.3.

Step K. Preparation of cis-4-(hydroxymethyl)piperidin-3-ol (Int 12).

Int 11 (3.7 g, 19.9 mmol) as a solid is added in small portions to a stirred solution of LiAlH₄ in THF (80 mL of a 1.0 M solution) in an ice-water bath. The mixture is warmed to rt, and then the reaction is heated to reflux for 48 h. The mixture is cooled in an ice-water bath before water (3.0 mL, 170 mmol) is added dropwise, followed by the sequential addition of NaOH (3.0 mL of a 15% (w/v) solution) and water (9.0 mL, 500 mmol). Excess K₂CO₃ is added, and the mixture is stirred vigorously for 15 min. The mixture is filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to afford Int 12 as a yellow powder (70% yield): ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 4.3, 4.1, 3.7, 3.5-3.2, 2.9-2.7, 2.5-2.3, 1.5, 1.3.

Step L. Preparation of benzyl cis-3-hydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (Int 13).

N-(benzyloxy carbonyloxy)succinimide (3.04 g, 12.2 mmol) is added to a stirred solution of Int 12 (1.6 g, 12.2 mmol) in saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (15 mL) at rt. The mixture is stirred at rt for 18 h. The organic and aqueous layers are separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with ether (3×). The combined organic layers are dried (K₂CO₃), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford Int 13 as a yellow oil (99% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.4-7.3, 5.2, 4.3, 4.1, 3.8-3.7, 3.0-2.8, 2.1, 1.9-1.7, 1.4.

Step M. Preparation of benzyl cis-3-hydroxy-4-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl oxymethyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate (Int 14).

Para-toluenesulfonyl chloride (1.0 g, 5.3 mmol) is added to a stirred solution of Int 13 (3.6 g, 5.3 mmol) in pyridine (10 mL) in a −15° C. bath. The mixture is stirred for 4 h, followed by addition of HCl (4.5 mL of a 6.0 M solution). CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) is added. The organic and aqueous layers are separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers are washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford Int 14 as a colorless oil (78% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.8, 7.4-7.2, 5.1, 4.3-4.2, 4.1, 3.9-3.8, 2.9-2.7, 2.4, 1.9, 1.6-1.3.

Step N. Preparation of exo-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-ol (Int 15).

A mixture of Int 14 (3.6 g, 8.6 mmol) and 10% Pd/C catalyst (500 mg) in EtOH (50 mL) is placed under an atmosphere of hydrogen. The mixture is shaken for 16 h. The mixture is filtered through Celite. Solid NaHCO₃ (1.1 g, 13 mmol) is added to the filtrate, and the mixture is heated in an oil bath at 50° C. for 5 h. The solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in saturated aqueous K₂CO₃ solution. Continuous extraction of the aqueous layer using a liquid-liquid extraction apparatus (18 h), followed by drying the organic layer over anhydrous K₂CO₃ and removal of the solvent in vacuo affords Int 15 as a white solid (91% yield): ¹H NMR δ 3.8, 3.0-2.8, 2.6-2.5, 2.4-2.3, 1.7, 1.1.

Step O. Preparation of endo-3-azido-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (Int 16).

To a mixture of Int 15 (1.0 g, 8.9 mmol) and triphenyl phosphine (3.0 g, 11.5 mmol) in toluene-THF (50 mL, 3:2) in an ice-water bath are added sequentially a solution of hydrazoic acid in toluene (15 mL of ca. 2 M solution) and a solution of diethyl azadicarboxylate (1.8 mL, 11.5 mmol) in toluene (20 mL). The mixture is allowed to warm to rt and stir for 18 h. The mixture is extracted with aqueous 1.0M HCl solution. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc, and the combined organic layers are discarded. The pH of the aqueous layer is adjusted to 9 with 50% aqueous NaOH solution. The aqueous layer is extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×), and the combined organic layers are washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with CHCl₃—MeOH—NH₄OH (92:7:1) affords Int 16 as a colorless oil (41% yield): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.1, 3.2, 2.8, 2.7-2.5, 2.2, 1.9, 1.5.

Step P. Preparation of endo-3-amino-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane bis(hydro-para-toluenesulfonate).

A mixture of Int 16 (250 mg, 1.8 mmol) and 10% Pd/C catalyst (12 mg) in EtOH (10 mL) is placed under an atmosphere of hydrogen (15 psi). The mixture is stirred for 1 h at rt. The mixture is filtered through Celite, and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in EtOH (10 mL) and para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (690 mg, 3.7 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred for 30 min, and the precipitate is filtered. The precipitate is washed sequentially with cold EtOH and ether. The precipitate is dried in vacuo to afford endo-[2.2.1]-Amine as a white solid (85% yield): ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ 7.7, 7.3, 4.2, 3.9, 3.6-3.4, 3.3-3.2, 2.4, 2.3, 2.1.

Preparation of the [3.2.1]-Amine

exo-1-Azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-amine dihydrochloride (exo-[3.2.1]-Amine)

A mixture of 1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one hydrochloride (2.80 g, 17.3 mmol), ethanol (25 mL), and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1.56 g, 22.4 mmol) is treated with sodium acetate trihydrate (7.07 g, 51.2 mmol). The mixture is stirred for 3 h and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is diluted with CH₂Cl₂, treated with charcoal, filtered and evaporated. The resulting material is taken up in 1-propanol (45 mL) and heated in a 100° C. oil bath. The solution is treated with sodium metal (6.4 g in portions). Heating is continued for 3 h and the mixture cooled to rt. Water is added carefully and the organic layer is extracted, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, acidified with MeOH/HCl(g), and evaporated. 2-Propanol is added and the resulting solid is filtered and dried in vacuo to give exo-[3.2.1]-Amine in 49% yield. MS for C₇H₁₄N₂.(HCl)₂ (ESI) (M+H)⁺ m/z=127.

endo-1-Azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-amine dihydrochloride (endo-[3.2.1]-Amine)

A mixture of 1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one hydrochloride (2.80 g, 17.3 mmol), ethanol (25 mL), and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1.56 g, 22.4 mmol) is treated with sodium acetate trihydrate (7.07 g, 51.2 mmol). The mixture is stirred for 3 h and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is diluted with CH₂Cl₂, treated with charcoal, filtered and evaporated. The resulting oxime (3.1 mmol) is treated with acetic acid (30 mL) and hydrogenated at 50 psi over PtO₂ (50 mg) for 12 h. The mixture is then filtered and evaporated. The residue is taken up in a minimal amount of water (6 mL) and the pH is adjusted to >12 using solid NaOH. The mixture is then extracted with ethyl acetate (4×25 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered, treated with ethereal HCl, and evaporated to give endo-[3.2.1]-Amine.

Preparation of the 3R,5R-[3.2.1]-Amine exo-(3S)-1-[(S)-1-Phenethyl]-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidine-carboxylic acid

According to the literature procedure (Nielsen et al. J. Med. Chem 1990, 70-77), a mixture of itaconic acid (123.2 g, 946.7 mmol) and (S)-(−)-α-methyl benzylamine (122 mL, 946 mmol) are heated (neat) in a 160° C. oil bath for 4 h. Upon cooling, MeOH (˜200 mL) is added and the resulting solid collected by filtration. The solid is treated with EtOH (˜700 mL) and warmed using a steam bath until ˜450 mL solvent remained. After cooling to rt, the solid product is collected and dried to afford 83.2 g as a crystalline solid: [α]²⁵ _(D)=−80 (c 0.97, DMSO). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66, 7.20-7.40, 5.23, 3.40-3.55, 3.10-3.25, 2.40-2.65, 1.45; MS (EI) m/z 233 (M⁺). (3S)-1-[(S)-1-Phenethyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine:

A suspension (3S)-1-[(S)-1-phenethyl]-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidine-carboxylic acid (82.3 g, 352.3 mmol) in Et₂O (200 mL) is added in small portions to a slurry of LiAlH₄ (17.4 g, 459 mmol) in Et₂O (700 mL). The mixture begins to reflux during the addition; the addition funnel containing the suspension is rinsed with Et₂O (2×50 mL). The mixture is heated in a 50° C. oil bath for an additional 2 h, allowed to cool to rt, and further cooled using an ice bath. The mixture is carefully treated with H₂O (62 mL). The resulting precipitate is filtered, rinsed with Et₂O, and discarded. The filtrate is concentrated to an oil. When EtOAc is added to the oil, a solid began to form. Hexane is added, and the mixture is filtered and the solid is dried to afford 43.3 g of the desired product. [α]²⁵ _(D)=−71 (c 0.94, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 7.20-7.45, 3.60-3.70, 3.40-3.60, 3.19, 3.05-3.15, 2.35-2.55, 2.25-2.35, 1.95-2.10, 1.75-1.90, 1.42; HRMS (FAB) calcd for C₁₃H₁₉NO (MH⁺) 206.1545, found 206.1532. (3R)-1-[(S)-1-Phenethyl]-3-(cyanomethyl)pyrrolidine:

A solution of (3S)-1-[(S)-1-phenethyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (42.75 g, 208.2 mmol) in chloroform (350 mL) is heated to reflux under N₂. The solution is treated with a solution of thionyl chloride (41.8 mL, 573 mmol) in chloroform (40 mL) dropwise over 45 min. The mixture is stirred for an additional 30 min, is cooled and concentrated. The residue is diluted with H₂O (˜200 mL), 1 N NaOH is added until the pH ˜8 (pH paper). A small portion (˜50 mL) of sat. NaHCO₃ is added, and the basic mixture is extracted with EtOAc (3×400 mL), washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to give 46.51 g of (3S)-1-[(S)-1-phenethyl]-3-(chloromethyl)pyrrolidine: MS (ESI+) m/z 224.2 (MH⁺). The chloride (46.4 g, 208 mmol) is transferred to a flask, DMSO (200 mL) is added, and the solution is treated with NaCN (17.84 g, 363.9 mmol). The mixture is heated under N₂ in a 100° C. oil bath overnight and is cooled. The brown mixture is poured into H₂O (300 mL) and is extracted with EtOAc (1000 mL in portions). The combined organic layer is washed with H₂O (6×˜50 mL), brine (˜100 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to give 40.61 g of an oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.20-7.40, 3.26, 2.70-2.85, 2.40-2.60, 2.27, 2.10-2.20, 1.50-1.70, 1.41; MS (ESI+) for m/z 215.2 (M+H⁺). (3R)-Methyl 1-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]pyrrolidine-3-acetate:

Acetyl chloride (270 mL, 3.8 mol) is carefully added to a flask containing chilled (0° C.) methanol (1100 mL). After the addition is complete, the acidic solution is stirred for 45 min (0° C.) and then (3R)-1-[(S)-1-phenethyl]-3-(cyanomethyl)pyrrolidine (40.50 g, 189.0 mmol) in methanol (200 mL) is added. The ice bath is removed and the mixture is stirred for 100 h at rt. The resulting suspension is concentrated. Water (˜600 mL) is added, the mixture stirred for 45 min and then the pH is adjusted (made basic) through the addition of ˜700 mL sat. aq. NaHCO₃. The mixture is extracted with EtOAc (3×300 mL). The combined organic layers are washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered through celite, and concentrated to give 36.9 g as an oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.20-7.40, 3.69, 3.30-3.40, 2.85-2.95, 2.40-2.70, 2.00-2.20, 1.10-1.65; MS (ESI+) m/z 248.2 (M+H⁺). (5R)-1-Azabicyclo[3.2.]octan-3-one hydrochloride:

A solution of (3R)-methyl 1-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]pyrrolidine-3-acetate (25.7 g, 104.0 mmol) in THF (265 mL) is cooled under N₂ in a CO₂/acetone bath. Next, ICH₂Cl (22.7 mL, 312.0 mmol) is added, and the mixture stirred for 30 min. A solution of 2.0M lithium diisopropylamide (heptane/THF/ethylbenzene, 156 mL, 312 mmol) is added slowly over 30 min. The internal temperature reached a maximum of −40° C. during this addition. After 1 h, sat. NH₄Cl (100 mL) is added and the mixture is allowed to warm to rt. The organic layer is separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated. The resulting foam is chromatographed (300 g SiO₂, CHCl₃—MeOH—NH₄OH (89:10:1) followed by CHCl₃—MeOH (3:1). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to afford (5R)-3-oxo-1-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]-1-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane chloride (10.1 g) as a foam (MS (ESI+) m/z 230.1 (M+H⁺). This foam (10.1 g, 38.0 mmol) is taken up in MeOH (500 mL), 10% Pd(C) (3.0 g) added and the mixture is hydrogenated (45 psi) overnight. The mixture is filtered and re-subjected to the reduction conditions (9.1 g, 10% Pd/C, 50 psi). After 5 h, TLC indicates the consumption of the (5R)-3-oxo-1-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]-1-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane chloride. The mixture is filtered, concentrated and triturated (minimal iPrOH) to give 3.73 g in two crops, as a solid: [α]²⁵ _(D)=33 (c 0.97, DMSO); HRMS (FAB) calcd for C₇H₁₁NO (M+H⁺) 126.0919, found 126.0937. exo-(3R,5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-amine dihydrochloride:

To a flask containing (5R)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one hydrochloride (3.64 g, 22.6 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (2.04 g, 29.4 mmol), and ethanol (130 mL) is added sodium acetate trihydrate (9.23 g, 67.8 mmol). The mixture stirred for 3 h, filtered, and concentrated. The resulting solid is taken up in n-propanol (100 mL) and sodium (˜13.6 g, 618 mmol) is added in 20-25 portions. The reaction spontaneously begins to reflux, and the reaction is heated in an oil bath (100° C.). The addition is complete in ˜20 min and the mixture solidifies after ˜40 min. The oil bath is removed and n-propanol (2×25 mL) is added dissolving the remaining sodium metal. The mixture is carefully quenched through the dropwise addition of H₂O (100 mL). Saturated aq. NaCl (20 mL) is added, and the layers are separated. The organic layer is dried (MgSO₄), filtered, treated with freshly prepared MeOH/HCl, and concentrated. The resulting solid is triturated with 30 mL EtOH, filtered and dried in vaccuo to afford 3.51 g of the (3R, 5R)-[3.2.1]-Amine as a solid: [α]²⁵ _(D)=−3 (c 0.94, DMSO); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 3.60-3.80, 2.95-3.10, 2.65-2.75, 1.90-2.15, 1.70-1.90; HRMS (FAB) calcd for C₇H₁₄N₂ (M+H⁺) 127.1235, found 127.1235. Preparation of the 3.2.2 Amines:

Preparation of tert-butyl 4-(2-oxopropylidene)piperidine-1-carboxylate (Int 101):

Sodium hydride (60% oil dispersion, 2.01 g, 50.2 mmol) is washed with pentane (3×) and suspended in dry THF (40 mL). The solution is cooled to 0° C. before diethyl (2-oxopropyl)phosphonate (9.75 g, 50.2 mmol) is added dropwise. After complete addition, the solution is warmed to rt and stirred for 30 min. tert-Butyl 4-oxo-1-piperidinecarboxylate (5.0 g, 25.1 mmol) is added in portions over 10 min, followed by stirring at rt for 2 h. A saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is added, followed by dilution with ether. The organic layer is extracted with water. The organic layer is dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to a yellow oil. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-ether (60:40) gave 4.5 g (75%) of Int 101 as a white solid: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 6.2, 3.5, 3.4, 2.9, 2.3, 2.2, 1.5.

Preparation of tert-butyl 4-(2-oxopropyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (Int 102):

A mixture of Int 101 (4.5 g, 19 mmol) and 10% palladium on activated carbon (450 mg) in EtOH (150 mL) is placed in a Parr bottle and hydrogenated for 5 h at 50 psi. The mixture is filtered through Celite, and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to afford 4.3 g (94%) of Int 102 as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.1, 2.8, 2.4, 2.2, 2.0, 1.7, 1.5, 1.1.

Preparation of tert-butyl 4-(3-bromo-2-oxopropyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (Int 103):

To a stirred solution lithium hexamethyldisilylamide in THF (20.0 mL, 1.0 M) in a −78° C. bath is added chlorotrimethylsilane (11.0 mL, 86.4 mmol) dropwise. The mixture is stirred at −78° C. for 20 min, followed by addition of Int 102 (3.21 g, 13.3 mmol) in a solution of THF (50 mL) dropwise. After complete addition, the mixture is stirred at −78° C. for 30 min. The mixture is warmed to 0° C. in an ice-water bath and phenyltrimethylammonium tribromide (5.25 g, 14.0 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred in an ice-bath for 30 min, followed by the addition of water and ether. The aqueous layer is washed with ether, and the combined organic layers are washed with saturated aqueous sodium thiosulfate solution. The organic layer is dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford a yellow oil. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-ether (60:40) gave 2.2 g (52%) of Int 103 as a lt. yellow oil: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.2-4.1, 3.9, 2.8, 2.7, 2.6, 2.1-2.0, 1.7, 1.5, 1.2-1.1.2.

Preparation of 1-bromo-3-piperidin-4-ylacetone trifluoroacetate (Int 104):

To a stirred solution of Int 103 (2.2 g, 6.9 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) in an ice-water bath is added trifluoroacetic acid (10 mL, 130 mmol). The mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 30 min. The volatiles are removed in vacuo to afford 2.0 g (87%) of Int 104 as a yellow residue: MS (ESI) for C₈H₁₅BrNO [M+H] m/e 220.

Preparation of 1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonan-3-one (Int 105):

To a stirred solution of DIEA (13 mL) in acetoniltrile (680 mL) at reflux temperature is added a solution of Int 104 (2.0 g, 6.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (125 mL) over a 4 h period via syringe pump. The mixture is kept at reflux temperature overnight. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo and the remaining residue is partitioned between a saturated aqueous K₂CO₃ solution and CHCl₃—MeOH (90:10). The aqueous layer is extracted with CHCl₃—MeOH (90:10), and the combined organic layers are dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a brown oil. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with CHCl₃—MeOH—NH₄OH (95:4.5:0.5) gives 600 mg (72%) of Int 105 as a clear solid: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 3.7, 3.3-3.2, 3.1-3.0, 2.7, 2.3, 2.0-1.8.

Preparation of 1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonan-3-amine bis(4-methylbenzenesulfonate) ([3.2.2]-Amine):

To a stirred mixture of Int 105 (330 mg, 2.4 mmol) and sodium acetate.trihydrate (670 mg, 4.8 mmol) in EtOH (6.0 mL) is added hydroxylamine.hydrochloride (200 mg, 2.8 mmol). The mixture is stirred at rt for 10 h. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to a yellow solid. To a solution of the solid (350 mg, 2.3 mmol) in n-propanol (30 mL) at reflux temperature is added sodium metal (2.0 g, 87 mmol) in small portions over 30 min. Heating at reflux is continued for 2 h. The solution is cooled to rt and brine is added. The mixture is extracted with n-propanol, and the combined organic layers are concentrated in vacuo. The residue is taken up in CHCl₃ and the remaining solids are filtered. The filtrate is dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a clear solid. To a stirred solution of the solid (320 mg, 2.3 mmol) in EtOH (4 mL) is added p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (875 mg, 4.6 mmol). The solution is warmed in a water bath to 45° C. for 30 min, followed by concentration of the solvent to afford 710 mg (62%) of [3.2.2]-Amine as a white solid: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ 7.7, 7.3, 4.1-3.9, 3.6-3.4, 2.6-2.5, 2.4, 2.2-2.1, 2.1-2.0, 1.9.

Resolution of Stereoisomers:

The amine can be coupled to form the appropriate amides or thioamides as a racemic mixture. The racemic mixture can then be resolved by chromatography using chiral columns or chiral HPLC, techniques widely known in the art, to provide the requisite resolved enantiomers 3(R) and 3(S) of said amides or thioamides.

The following examples are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to only the exemplified compounds. The amines used for the coupling are for exemplification only and not intended to limit the scope of this invention; any amine identified herein can be used making non-critical changes to the procedures identified herein to obtain the final compounds. Also, the salts made in the examples are only exemplary and are not intended to limit the invention. Any pharmaceutically acceptable salt can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the naming of specific compounds or stereoisomers is for exemplification, and is not intended to limit in anyway the scope of the invention. The invention includes the following examples and named compounds in pure stereoisomeric form or as racemic mixtures.

EXAMPLE 1 N-((3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide Fumarate

To a stirred solution of 0.59 g (3.3 mmol) of 1,4-benzodioxane-6-carboxylic acid in CH₃CN (30 mL) in a −10° C. methanol-ice bath is added sequentially DIEA (1.65 mL, 9.5 mmol), 3(R)-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride (0.62 g, 3.11 mmol) and HATU (1.18 g, 3.11 mmol). The mixture is stirred at −10° C. for 1 h, followed by warming to rt and stirring overnight. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo to a yellow residue. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with CHCl₃—MeOH—NH₄OH (90:9:1) gave 634 mg (71%) of a light yellow solid. MS(ESI) m/e 289 [M+H].

To a stirred solution of the solid (634 mg, 2.2 mmol) in acetone (2.0 mL) is added a hot solution of fumaric acid (268 mg, 2.4 mmol) in IPA. The mixture is warmed on a water bath to 45° C. for 30 min, followed by cooling to rt. The solid precipitate is filtered, washed with acetone and dried in vacuo to afford 550 mg (61%) of Example 1 as a white solid: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ7.4-7.3, 6.9, 6.8, 4.4, 4.3, 3.9-3.8, 3.5-3.3, 2.4, 2.3-2.2, 2.1, 1.9.

EXAMPLE 2 N-[(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide Hydrochloride

2,3-Dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxylic acid (0.18 g, 1.04 mmol), HATU (0.47 g, 1.25 mmol) and (2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-amine dihydrochloride (0.213 g, 1.0 mmol) are dissolved in 5 mL DMF. DIEA (1.4 mL, 8.0 mmol) is added dropwise. After 18 h, the solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is taken up in CHCl₃, 1N NaOH is added and the mixture is extracted with CHCl₃. The combined organic layers are dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue is purified by chromatography (Biotage 40S, 90:9:1 CHCl₃/MeOH/NH₄OH). The hydrochloride salt is prepared and recrystallized from MeOH/EtOAc to provide 0.225 g (64%) of Example 2. HRMS (FAB) calculated for C₁₇H₂₂N₂O₃+H 303.1708, found 303.1697.

EXAMPLE 3 exo-4(S) N-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-3-yl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide

To a stirred solution of 0.160 mg (0.88 mmol) of 1,4-benzodioxane-6-carboxylic acid, in DMF (8 mL) in a −5° C. acetone-ice bath is added sequentially DIEA (470 μL, 2.77 mmol), exo-4(S)-[2.2.1]-Amine (400 mg, 0.88 mmol) and HATU (333 mg, 0.88 mmol). The mixture is stirred at −5° C. for 1 h, followed by warming to rt and stirring overnight. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo to a yellow residue. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with CHCl₃—MeOH—NH₄OH (90:9:1) gives 240 mg (99%) of a light yellow solid. MS (ESI) m/e 275 [M+H].

To a stirred solution of the above solid (240 mg, 2.2 mmol) in acetone (2.0 mL) is added a hot solution of fumaric acid (101 mg, 0.87 mmol) in iso-propyl alcohol. The mixture is warmed on a water bath to 45° C. for 30 min, followed by cooling to rt. The solid precipitate is filtered, washed with acetone and dried in vacuo to afford 150 mg (44%) of the title compound as a white solid: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ 7.4-7.3, 6.9, 6.7, 4.3, 4.1, 3.3-3.2, 3.1-3.0, 2.9, 2.1-2.0, 1.8-1.7.

EXAMPLE 4 N-[(3R,5R)-1-Azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide Hydrochloride

Example 4 is obtained as a solid in 78% yield following the procedures discussed in Example 1, making non-critical changes: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.30-7.40, 6.92, 4.55-4.70, 4.25-4.35, 3.50-3.75, 3.30-3.40, 3.05-3.20, 2.80-2.95, 2.25-2.40,2.05-2.20, 1.80-1.95; MS (Cl) m/z 289 (MH⁺).

EXAMPLE 5 N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide Hydrochloride

A suspension of calcium ethoxide (816 mg, 6.3 mmol), butene oxide (5.2 mL, 93 mmol) and 2,4-diiodophenol (2.17 g, 6.3 mmol) is heated in a sealed flask at 80° C. for 18 h. The reaction mixture is allowed to cool, poured into 1N HCl and extracted three times with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting material is purified by column chromatography (two columns, step gradient of 30-40-50% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes) to give 1-(2,4-diiodophenoxy)butan-2-ol as a clear oil (1.73 g, 67%).¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.04, 7.56, 6.57, 4.03, 3.9, 3.84, 2.42, 1.65, 1.04.

A solution of 1-(2,4-diiodophenoxy)butan-2-ol (1.27 g, 3.0) in pyridine (12 mL) is degassed by repeatedly evacuating the flask then filling with N₂. Sodium hydride (60% suspension, 153 mg, 3.8 mmol) is added and the resulting mixture is stirred for 15 min. Copper (I) chloride (15 mg, 0.15 mmol) is added, and the resulting mixture is heated at 80° C. for 2 h. The reaction is allowed to cool, poured into 1M HCl and extracted three times with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting material is purified by column chromatography (10% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes) to give 2-ethyl-7-iodo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine as a clear oil (493 mg, 57%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.20, 7.10, 6.61, 4.22, 4.01, 3.85, 1.7, 1.6, 1.06.

A solution of 2-ethyl-7-iodo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine (486 mg, 1.68 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) is degassed by repeatedly evacuating the flask and filling with N₂. Zn(CN)₂ (117 mg, 1.0 mmol), and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (97 mg, 0.084 mmol) are added, and the resulting solution is degassed, and is then heated to 80° C. for 1.5 h. The reaction is allowed to cool, poured into water and extracted two times with ether. The combined organic extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting material is purified by column chromatography (step gradient, 25-50% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes) to give 3-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carbonitrile as a clear oil (296 mg, 92%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.16, 7.13, 6.91, 4.31, 4.05, 3.93, 1.7, 1.6, 1.08.

KOH (218 mg, 3.9 mmol) is added to a mixture of 3-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carbonitrile (247 mg, 1.3 mmol), ethanol (3 mL) and water (1 mL). The resulting mixture is heated to 80° C. for 24 hours. The reaction is allowed to cool, diluted with water (2 mL) and acidified to pH<2 with concentrated HCl. The resulting solid is filtered, washed with water and dried at 60° C. under vacuum to give 3-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxylic acid as a white solid (249 mg, 92%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.66, 7.43, 7.37, 6.95, 4.38, 4.10, 3.95, 1.64, 1.01.

DMF (3 mL) is added to a solution of (R)-3-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride (143 mg, 0.72 mmol), 3-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxylic acid (150 mg, 0.72 mmol) and DIEA (376 μL, 2.16 mmol) in water (300 μL). HATU (274 mg, 0.72 mmol) is added, and the resulting solution is allowed to stir at rt for 18 h. The reaction mixture is diluted with methanol (5 mL) and poured onto a column of AG50W×2 resin (H⁺ form). The column is washed with methanol; the product is eluted with 5% TEA in methanol. The solvents are removed in vacuo, and the resulting material is evaporated twice from acetonitrile. The crude product is dissolved in 1M HCl in methanol. The solvents are removed in vacuo at 80° C. to give Example 5 as a tan solid (228 mg, 86%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.46, 8.46, 7.49, 7.43, 6.94, 4.37, 4.3, 4.09, 3.92, 3.59, 3.3 , 3.2 , 2.1, 2.0, 1.9, 1.7, 1.02;

EXAMPLE 6(a) AND EXAMPLE 6(b) 2(R)- and 2(S)-N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide (2E)-but-2-enedioic Acid

6-Bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl)methanol is prepared according to literature reports for 6-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-benzo-1,4-dioxin-2-yl)-methanol. See Henning, R.; Lattrell, R.; Gerhards, H. J.; Leven, M.; J.Med.Chem.; 30; 5; 1987; 814-819. The intermediate is obtained in 70% yield as a solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.08, 7.00, 6.81, 4.25-4.40, 4.10-4.20, 3.85-4.00, 1.95; MS (EI) m/z 244 (M⁺).

A mixture of (6-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl)methanol (3.94 g, 16.1 mmol) and DMF (35 mL) at rt is treated with a 60% dispersion of NaH in mineral oil (0.706 g, 17.7 mmol). After 15 min, the mixture is treated with benzyl bromide (2.10 mL, 17.7 mmol). After 2 h, the mixture is poured into H₂O and extracted with EtOAc (2×125 mL). The combined organics are washed with H₂O (3×100 mL), brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated. The resulting oil is adsorbed onto SiO₂ and chromatographed (Biotage 40M+SIM, 5% EtOAc/Hexane). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to give an oil which solidified (upon standing) to give 3.91 g (73%) of 2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-6-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.30-7.45, 7.06, 6.99, 6.81, 4.60-4.70, 4.30-4.40, 4.05-4.15, 3.65-3.85; MS (EI) m/z 244 (M⁺).

A mixture of 2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-6-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine (3.63 g, 10.8 mmol) in THF (60, mL) is cooled in a CO₂/acetone bath under N₂. A solution of t-butyl lithium in pentane (1.3 M, 17.5 mL, 22.8 mmol) is added. After 5 min, CO₂ (g) is bubbled through the mixture and the mixture is warmed to rt. A solution of HCl in methanol is added and the mixture concentrated. The residue is extracted between NaOH (1 N) and EtOAc. The organic layer is discarded. The pH of the aqueous layer is adjusted to ˜4 and is extracted with EtOAc (2×100 mL). The combined organics are washed with H₂O (3×100 mL), brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated. The resulting oil is chromatographed (Biotage 40M, 2% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to an give oil 1.66 g (51%) of 2-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxylic acid. A mixture of the acid (1.59 g, 5.29 mmol), (R)-3-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride (1.05 g, 5.27 mmol) in THF (60 mL), DMF (10 mL) and DIEA (2.90 mL, 16.6 mmol) is cooled in an ice bath under N₂. HATU (2.01 g, 5.29 mmol) is added, and the mixture is stirred with warming to rt overnight. The mixture is concentrated, and the crude product is chromatographed (Biotage 40M, (1:142:1418) NH₄OH—MeOH—CHCl₃). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated affording a white foam. The foam is subjected to chiral preparative HPLC (0.46×25 cm Chiralcel OD—H, 0.5 ml/min (50% isopropyl alcohol/50% heptane (0.5% diethyl amine) detection at 220 nM, 10 μl injections). The fractions containing the first eluting diastereomer are pooled and concentrated. The resulting foam is dissolved in 95% EtOH and filtered through glass wool. Fumaric acid (1.0 eq) is added and the material set aside. The resulting solid was collected by filtration and dried to afford 0.086 g (3%) of Example 6(a) as the monohydrate: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.25-8.30, 7.25-7.50, 6.97, 6.49, 4.47, 4.35-4.50, 4.05-4.20, 3.70, 3.30-3.50, 3.05-3.20, 2.90-3.05, 1.85-2.05, 1.70-1.85, 1.45-1.60; MS (EI) m/z 408 (M⁺).

The fractions containing the second eluting diastereomer are pooled and concentrated. The resulting foam is dissolved in 95% EtOH and filtered through glass wool. Fumaric acid (1.0 eq) is added and the material set aside. The resulting solid was collected by filtration and dried to afford 0.096 g (3%) of Example 6(b) as the monohydrate: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.25-8.30, 7.25-7.50, 6.97, 6.49, 4.47, 4.35-4.50, 4.05-4.20, 3.70, 3.30-3.50, 3.05-3.20, 2.90-3.05, 1.85-2.05, 1.70-1.85, 1.45-1.60; MS (EI) m/z 408 (M⁺).

Analyses were not done to identify which diastereomer was Example 6(a) and which was Example 6(b).

EXAMPLE 7 N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide (2E)-but-2-enedioic Acid

(R) and (S)-(7-Bromo-2,3-dihydro-benzo-1,4-dioxin-2-yl)-methanol are prepared according to the literature example. The racemic mixture is obtained starting with racemic epichlorohydrin. See Aiba, Y.; Hasegawa, et al., Bioorg.Med.Chem.Lett.; 11; 20; 2001; 2783-2786.

A mixture of 7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl)methanol (2.73 g, 11.1 mmol) and DMF (25 mL) at 0° C. is treated with a 60% dispersion of NaH in mineral oil (0.49 g, 12.3 mmol). After 15 min, the mixture is treated with benzyl bromide (1.46 mL, 12.37 mmol). After 2 h, the mixture is poured into H₂O and extracted with EtOAc (2×125 mL). The combined organic layers are washed with H₂O (3×100 mL), brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated. The resulting oil is adsorbed onto SiO₂ and chromatographed (Biotage 40M+SIM, 5% EtOAc/Hexane). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to provide an oil, which solidified (upon standing) to give 3.48 g (93%) of 2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine.

A mixture of 2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine (3.35 g, 10.0 mmol) in THF (60, mL) is cooled in a CO₂/acetone bath under N₂. A solution of t-butyl lithium in pentane (1.7 M, 6.0 mL, 10.2 mmol) is added. After 5 min, CO₂ (g) is bubbled through the mixture and the mixture is warmed to rt. A solution of HCl in methanol is added and the mixture concentrated. The residue is chromatographed (Biotage 40M, 3% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to give 1.19 g (40%) of 3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxylic acid as an oil. A mixture of this acid (1.12 g, 3.73 mmol), (R)-3-aminoquinuclidine (0.765 g, 3.84 mmol) in THF (45 mL), DMF (10 mL) and DIEA (2.15 mL, 12.3 mmol) is cooled in an ice bath under N₂. HATU (1.425 g, 3.75 mmol) is added, and the mixture is stirred with warming to rt overnight. The mixture is concentrated, and the crude product is chromatographed (Biotage 40M, (1:142:1418) NH₄OH—MeOH—CHCl₃). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated affording 1.33 g (87%) of the product as a foam. A portion of the freebase (0.287 g, 0.70 mmol) is treated with fumaric acid (0.082 g, 0.71 mmol), acetone (˜10 mL) and MeOH (˜5 mL). The mixture is evaporated and the resulting solid filtered from Et₂O and dried to give (0.288 g, 78%) of Example 7 as a solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.45, 7.41, 7.25-7.40, 6.94, 6.70, 4.61, 4.35-4.45, 4.35-4.45, 4.10-4.20, 3.70-3.85, 3.15-3.50, 2.30-2.40, 2.15-2.30, 2.00-2.15, 1.85-2.00; MS (EI) m/z 408 (M⁺).

EXAMPLE 8 (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide (2E)-but-2-enedioic Acid

Example 8 is obtained following the procedures discussed in Example 7, making non-critical changes, and starting with [(2S)-7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl]methanol to give Example 8 as a solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.25-7.50, 6.94, 6.70, 4.61, 4.35-4.45, 4.10-4.20, 3.70-3.85, 3.20-3.50, 2.30-2.40, 2.15-2.30, 2.00-2.15, 1.85-2.00; MS (EI) m/z 408 (M⁺).

EXAMPLE 9 (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide (2E)-but-2-enedioic Acid

Example 9 is obtained following the procedures discussed in Example 7, making non-critical changes, and starting with (3R)-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxylic acid to afforded Example 9 in 84% yield as a solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, d₄-CD₃OD) δ 7.25-7.50, 6.94, 6.70, 4.61, 4.35-4.45, 4.10-4.20, 3.70-3.85, 3.20-3.50, 2.30-2.40, 2.15-2.30, 2.00-2.15, 1.85-2.00; MS (EI) m/z 408 (M⁺).

EXAMPLE 10 N-1-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide (2E)-but-2-enedioic acid

A mixture of N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide (1.04 g, 2.54 mmol), 10% Pd/C (0.78 g), and MeOH (45 mL) is shaken under H₂. After 90 h, the mixture is filtered through celite and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (Biotage 40S, 1:10:89-NH₄OH:MeOH:CHCl₃) and the fractions containing the desire product are pooled and concentrated to afford 0.684 g (85%) of the free base as a solid. This solid (0.284 g, 0.89 mmol) is treated with fumaric acid (1.0 eq), EtOH (˜10 mL) and acetone (˜10 mL). The mixture is dissolved and evaporated. The resulting solid is filtered from Et₂O and dried in vacuo to afford 0.274 g (71%) of Example 10 as a solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.45, 7.40, 6.94, 6.71, 4.35-4.45, 4.20-4.25, 4.05-4.15, 3.75-3.90, 3.20-3.50, 2.30-2.40, 2.15-2.30, 2.05-2.15, 1.85-2.00; MS (EI) m/z 318 (M⁺).

EXAMPLE 11 (3S)N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide (2E)-but-2-enedioic Acid

A mixture of [(2S)-7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl]methanol (2.26 g, 9.20 mmol), phenol (0.87 g, 9.2 mmol), triphenylphosphine (2.42 g, 9.20 mmol) and THF (80 mL) is cooled in a 0° C. bath under N₂. Diethylazodicarboxylate (1.50 ml, 9.5 mmol) is added, and the mixture is allowed to warm to rt overnight. The mixture is adsorbed onto SiO₂ and chromatographed (Biotage 40S+SIM, (1:19) EtOAc:hexane). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to afford 1.45 g (49%) of (2S)-7-bromo-2-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine as a clear oil. A mixture of this oil (14, 0.472 g, 1.47 mmol), (R)-3-aminoquinuclidine (0.557 g, 4.41 mmol), palladium acetate (0.083 g, 0.37 mmol), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (0.153 g, 0.370 mmol), and toluene (20 ml) are stirred under CO (g) in a 97° C. oil bath. The mixture is allowed to cool to rt and after 1.5 h is concentrated. The residue is partitioned between NaOH (aq) and EtOAc. The organic layer is separated, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated. The residue is chromatographed (Biotage 40 S, (1:10:190) NH₄OH—MeOH—CHCl₃). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated affording the product as a foam. The foam is taken up in EtOH, treated with fumaric acid (1.0 eq) and water (1 drop), and partially concentrated. Et₂O is added and the resulting solid filtered and dried to provide 0.310 g (53%) of Example 11 as a monohydrate solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.49, 7.43, 7.25-7.35, 6.90-7.05, 6.70, 4.55-4.65, 4.45-4.55, 4.35-4.45, 4.20-4.35, 3.75-3.85, 3.20-3.50, 2.30-2.40, 2.15-2.30, 2.00-2.15, 1.85-2.00.

EXAMPLE 12 (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide Hydrochloride

A mixture of [(2R)-7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl]methanol (0.648 g, 2.64 mmol), phenol (0.248 g, 2.64 mmol), triphenylphosphine (0.692 g, 2.64 mmol) and THF (26 mL) is cooled in a 0° C. bath under N₂. Diethylazodicarboxylate (0.42 ml, 2.7 mmol) is added and the mixture allowed to warm to rt overnight. The mixture is concentrated, partitioned between EtOAc and H₂O, the organic layer dried (MgSO₄), adsorbed onto SiO₂, and chromatographed (Biotage 40S+SIM, (1:19) EtOAc:hexane). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to afford 0.315 g (37%) of (2R)-7-bromo-2-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine as an oil. A solution of this oil (0.280 g, 0.87 mmol) and THF (30 ml) is cooled in a CO₂ (s)/acetone bath under N₂. To this is added a solution of tert-butyl lithium in pentane (1.7 M, 1.10 ml, 1.9 mmol). After stirring for 5 min, CO₂ (g) is bubbled through the solution for an additional 10 min. The mixture is treated with MeOH/HCl and allowed to warn to rt. The mixture is concentrated, and the residue is chromatographed (Biotage 40S, (1:499) MeOH:CH₂Cl₂). The product fractions are pooled and concentrated to afford 0.103 g (41%) of (3R)-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxylic acid as a solid. Example 12 is obtained in 45% yield as a monohydrate solid following the procedures outlined in Example 1, making non-critical changes: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.40-7.55, 7.25-7.35, 6.90-7.05, 4.35-4.65, 4.20-4.35, 3.75-3.90, 3.25-3.55, 2.30-2.40, 2.15-2.30, 2.05-2.15, 1.85-2.00; MS (EI) m/z 394 (M⁺).

EXAMPLE 13 N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide.fumarate

To a stirred solution of 4,5-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid [see:Kenichi Mochida, et al. J. Antibiot. 1987, 182] (800 mg, 4.18 mmol) in MeOH (30 mL) is added concentrated sulfuric acid (1 mL). The mixture is heated to reflux for 2 days. The mixture is cooled to rt, followed by addition of solid sodium bicarbonate. The mixture is diluted with water and the precipitate is filtered and dried to give 527 mg (75%) of methyl 4,5-dihydroxypyridine-2-carboxylate: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH -d₄) δ 7.68, 7.24, 3.97.

To a stirred solution of methyl 4,5-dihydroxypyridine-2-carboxylate (348 mg, 2.06 mmol) in DMF (20 mL) is added solid K₂CO₃ (3.1 g, 22 mmol) and 1,2-dibromoethane (386 μL, 4.5 mmol). The mixture is heated at 115° C. for 2 h. DMF is removed in vacuo, the residue is partitioned between water and EtOAc. The aqueous layer is again extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers are dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give a yellow solid for methyl 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxylate (348 mg, 86%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.29, 7.71, 4.39, 3.99.

To a stirred solution of methyl 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxylate (300 mg, 1.54 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) is added NaOH (10 mL of a 5% aqueous solution). The mixture is heated to reflux for 3 h, followed by cooling to rt. The methanol is removed in vacuo and the remaining aqueous layer is acidified to pH=5 with IN HCl, extracted with CH₂Cl₂ continuously for 2 days. The organic layer is concentrated to a white solid (245 mg, 88%) for 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13-12, 8.21, 7.52, 4.39.

To a stirred solution of 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (130 mg, 0.72 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (10 mL) in an ice bath is added sequentially DIEA (381 μL, 2.19 mmol), 3(R)-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride (143 mg, 0.72 mmol) and HATU (273 mg, 0.72 mmol). The mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 30 min, followed by warming to rt and stirring overnight. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo to a yellow residue. The residue is partitioned between CHCl₃—MeOH (90:10) and half saturated aqueous K₂CO₃ solution. The aqueous layer is extracted with CHCl₃—MeOH (90:10), and the combined organic layers are washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with CHCl₃—MeOH—NH₄OH (90:9:1) gives 130 mg (62%) of a white foam.

To a stirred solution of the above amide (128 mg, 0.44 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) is added fumaric acid (51 mg, 0.44 mmol). The mixture is warmed on a water bath to 40° C. for 30 min, followed by removal of the solvent in vacuo. Acetone and two drops of water are added to the residue, which produces a white precipitate. The solid precipitate is filtered, washed with acetone and dried in vacuo to afford 116 mg (65%) of Example 13 as a white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d,) δ 8.17, 7.59, 6.70, 4.41-4.40, 3.78, 3.47-3.29, 2.33, 2.20, 2.11-2.07, 1.93.

EXAMPLE 14 N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]chromane-6-carboxamide.fumarate

A mixture of chromene (see: Chatterjea, J. Indian Chem. Soc. 1959, 35, 78.) (5.00 g, 37.8 mmol) and 10% palladium on activated carbon (250 mg) in glacial acetic acid (100 mL) is placed in a Parr bottle. The mixture is shaken under an atmosphere of hydrogen (45 psi) for 3 h at rt. The mixture is filtered through Celite and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to afford 5.00 g (98%) of chromane as light yellow oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.15-7.05, 6.89, 6.80, 4.23, 2.84, 2.08-2.02.

To a stirred solution of acetyl chloride (4.78 mL, 67.1 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) in a −10° C. bath is added aluminum trichloride (4.76 g, 35.7 mmol) in small portions. The mixture is stirred for 15 min until the solution became homogeneous. The solution is added via canula to a separate solution of chromane (4,79 g, 35.7 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) all at −10° C. After complete addition, the solution is stirred at −10° C. for 30 min. The solution is poured over a mixture of crushed ice and concentrated HCl. The mixture is extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers are washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The remaining residue is purified via crystallization from hexanes to give 4.0 g (64%) of 1-(3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)ethanone as a white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ7.76-7.73, 6.75, 4.27, 2.86, 2.57, 2.09-2.03.

A mixture of 1-(3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)ethanone (3.80 g, 22.0 mmol) and sodium hypochlorite [150 mL of a 6.0% aqueous solution, (Clorox brand of bleach)] in a 55° C. oil bath is stirred for 2 h. The mixture (now homogeneous) is cooled to rt and solid sodium bisulfite is added until a clear color persisted. HCl (ca 15 mL of a 6.0 M aqueous solution) is added, followed by extraction with EtOAc. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 3.10 g (82%) of chromane-6-carboxylic acid as a white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.55, 7.67, 7.6, 6.79, 4.20, 2.77, 1.96-1.90.

Example 14 is obtained using the coupling procedure and making the salt as discussed in Example 1, making non-critical changes. The free base is obtained in 93% yield as a white solid. MS (ESI) m/e 287 [M+H]. Example 14, as the salt, is obtained in 75% yield as a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD-d₄) δ 7.63-7.60, 6.80, 6.70, 4.46-4.40, 4.23, 3.85-3.79, 3.50-3.32, 3.30-3.23, 2.85, 2.37-2.34, 2.27-2.19, 2.12-2.05, 2.05-1.99, 1.98-1.89.

EXAMPLE 15 N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]chromane-7-carboxamide.fumarate

To a stirred solution of methyl 4-formyl-3-hydroxybenzoate [see: Harayama, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1994, 2170] (0.8 g, 4.1 mmol) and anhydrous K₂CO₃ (1.1 g, 8.0 mmol) in acetone (12 mL) is added allyl bromide (0.70 mL, 8.1 mmol). The mixture is heated in a 48° C. oil bath for 2 h. The reaction mixture is cooled to rt and filtered. The mother liquor is concentrated in vacuo to a brown oil. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (85:15) gives 0.85 g (49%) of methyl 3-(allyloxy)-4-formylbenzoate as a clear solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 10.6, 7.9, 7.7, 6.1, 5.5, 5.4, 4.8, 4.0.

Sodium hydride [220 mg (60% oil dispersion), 5.4 mmol], is washed with pentane (3×) and is suspended in THF (12 mL) in a 0° C. ice bath. Methyl triphenylphosphonium bromide (1.7 g, 4.7 mmol) is added. The suspension is allowed to warm to rt and stir for 30 min. A solution of methyl 3-(allyloxy)-4-formylbenzoate (0.85 g, 3.8 mmol) in THF (5 mL) is added via canula. The mixture is stirred at rt for 2 h. The mixture is diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine. The organic layer is dried with MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a yellow residue. The crude product is triturated with hexanes, filtered and dried in vacuo to a clear oil for methyl 3-(allyloxy)-4-vinylbenzoate (680 mg, 81%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.65-7.54, 7.13, 6.13, 5.88, 5.49-5.29, 4.65, 3.93.

To a stirred solution of methyl 3-(allyloxy)-4-vinylbenzoate (0.67 g, 3.1 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) at rt is added benzylidene-bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)dichlororuthenium (63 mg, 0.076 mmol). The mixture is stirred at rt for 2 h. The reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo to a dark residue. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (95:5) gives 372 mg (64%) of methyl 2H-chromene-7-carboxylate as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.56, 7.46, 7.01, 6.46, 5.91, 4.89, 3.91.

A mixture of methyl 2H-chromene-7-carboxylate (372 mg, 1.96 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (25 mg) in methanol (15 mL) is stirred under 1 atm of hydrogen at rt for 3 h. The mixture is filtered through Celite and the filtrate is concentrated to a yellow residue. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (95:5) gives 140 mg (37%) of methyl chromane-7-carboxylate as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.51, 7.47, 7.10, 4.23, 3.91, 2.85, 2.04.

To a stirred solution of methyl chromane-7-carboxylate (140 mg, 0.73 mmol) in MeOH (5 mL) is added NaOH (5 mL of a 5% aqueous solution). The mixture is heated in a 85° C. oil bath for 3 h, followed by cooling to rt. The methanol is removed in vacuo and the remaining aqueous layer is acidified to pH=1 with concentrated HCl, extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic layers are dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated to a white solid for chromane-7-carboxylic acid (130 mg, 100%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13-12, 7.37, 7.24, 7.16, 4.16, 2.79, 1.92.

Example 15 is made using procedures discussed for Example 13. The free base of Example 15 is obtained in 98% yield from coupling 3(R)-aminoquinuclidine dihydrochloride with chromane-7-carboxylic acid. Example 15 as the fumarate salt as a white solid is then obtained in 65% yield: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄) δ 7.32, 7.26, 7.16, 6.70, 4.30, 4.21, 3.80, 3.42-3.19, 2.85, 2.34, 2.22, 2.11-2.06, 2.04-1.99, 1.92.

EXAMPLE 16 N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide.fumarate

To a stirred solution of ethyl 3-formyl-4-hydroxybenzoate [see: Skattebol, Acta. Chemica. Scandinavica 1999, 53, 258] (1.9 g, 10.0 mmol) and anhydrous K₂CO₃ (2.7 g, 19.5 mmol) in acetone (30 mL) is added allyl bromide (1.7 mL, 19.8 mmol). The mixture is heated in a 60° C. oil bath for 2 h. The mixture is cooled to rt, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford 2.1 g (92%) of ethyl 4-(allyloxy)-3-formylbenzoate as a white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 10.5, 8.5, 8.2, 7.1, 6.1, 5.5, 5.4, 4.8, 4.4, 1.4.

To a stirred suspension of sodium hydride [588 mg (60% oil dispersion), 15 mmol), which had been previously washed with pentane (3×), in THF (30 mL) in a 0° C. ice bath is added methyl triphenylphosphonium bromide (4.6 g, 13 mmol). The suspension is allowed to warm to rt and stir for 30 min. A solution of ethyl 4-(allyloxy)-3-formylbenzoate (2.3 g, 9.8 mmol) in THF (10 mL) is added via canula. The mixture is stirred at rt 2 h. The mixture is diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine. The organic layer is dried of MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a yellow residue. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (95:5) gives 1.8 g (79%) of ethyl 4-(allyloxy)-3-vinylbenzoate as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.2, 7.9, 7.1, 6.9, 6.1, 5.9, 5.5, 5.3, 4.7, 4.4, 1.4.

To a stirred solution of ethyl 4-(allyloxy)-3-vinylbenzoate (1.8 g, 7.7 mmol) in CH₂Ci₂ (40 mL) at rt is added benzylidene-bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)dichlororuthenium (127 mg, 0.15 mmol). The mixture is stirred at rt for 2.5 h. The reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo to a dark residue. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (95:5) gives 1.3 g (80%) of ethyl 2H-chromene-6-carboxylate as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.8, 7.7, 6.8, 6.4, 5.8, 4.9, 4.4, 1.4.

To a stirred solution of ethyl 2H-chromene-6-carboxylate MeOH (80 mL) is added NaOH (40 mL of a 5% aqueous solution). The mixture is heated in a 60° C. oil bath for 30 min, followed by cooling to rt. The methanol is removed in vacuo and the remaining aqueous layer is acidified to pH=1 with concentrated HCl. The solid precipitate is filtered and washed with water to afford 130 mg (13%) of 2H-chromene-6-carboxylic acid as a white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 12-11, 7.9, 7.7, 6.8, 6.5, 5.8, 5.0.

Example 16 is obtained using the coupling and salt formation procedures discussed in Example 13, making non-critical changes. The free base is obtained in 88% yield as a brown oil. Example 16 is obtained in 86% yield as a white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.7, 7.5, 6.8, 6.7, 6.5, 5.9,4.4, 3.8, 3.5-3.2, 2.4, 2.3, 2.1, 1.9.

EXAMPLE 17 N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide.fumarate

To a stirred solution of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1.0 M solution in tetrahydrofuran) (8 mL) in a 0° C. ice bath is added methyl triphenylphonium bromide (1.92 g, 5.38 mmol). The mixture is allowed to warm to rt and stir for 10 min. A solution of methyl 3-formyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (200 mg, 1.11 mmol) in THF (3 mL) is added to the above solution. The mixture is stirred at rt for 5 h. The reaction mixture is acidified to pH=5 with 1N HCl, and extracted with ether (3×). The combined organic layers are washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to a yellow oil. The crude product is purified by chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (80:20) gives 130 mg (66%) of methyl 4-hydroxy-3-vinylbenzoate as a white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.12, 7.86, 6.93, 6.85, 5.84, 5.50, 5.46, 3.92.

To a stirred solution of methyl 4-hydroxy-3-vinylbenzoate (410 mg, 2.3 mmol), triphenylphosphine (787 mg, 3.0 mmol), 3-buten-2-ol (260 μL, 3.0 mmol) in THF (15 mL) at 0° C. is added a solution of diethyl azadicarboxylate (472 μL, 3.0 mmol) in THF (5 mL). The mixture is allowed to warm to rt and stir overnight. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is purified by chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (95:5) gives 371 mg (69%) of methyl 3-formyl-4-[(1-methylprop-2-enyl)oxy]benzoate as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.18, 7.89, 7.08, 6.90, 5.94, 5.86, 5.36-5.30, 4.93, 3.91, 1.51.

To a stirred solution of methyl 3-formyl-4-[(1-methylprop-2-enyl)oxy]benzoate (370 mg, 1.59 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (8 mL) at rt is added benzylidene-bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)dichlororuthenium (56 mg, 0.068 mmol). The mixture is stirred at rt overnight. The reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo to a dark residue. The crude product is purified by flash chromatography on SiO₂. Elution with hexanes-EtOAc (95:5) gives 225 mg (69%) of methyl 2-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxylate as a clear oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.82, 7.68, 6.79, 6.41, 5.71, 5.11, 3.89, 1.48.

To a stirred solution of methyl 2-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxylate (225 mg, 1.10 mmol) in MeOH (5 mL) is added NaOH (5 mL of a 5% aqueous solution). The mixture is heated in a 60° C. oil bath for 40 min, followed by cooling to rt. The methanol is removed in vacuo and the remaining aqueous layer is acidified to pH=5 with 1N HCl. The solution is extracted with EtOAc (2×), washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to afford 209 mg (100%) of 2-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxylic acid as a yellow oil: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13-12, 7.68, 7.65, 6.80, 6.53, 5.85, 5.10, 1.37.

Example 17 is obtained using the coupling and salt formation procedures discussed in Example 13, making non-critical changes. The free base is obtained in 25% yield as a white foam. Example 17 is obtained in 71% yield as a white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄) δ 7.66, 7.55, 6.81, 6.70, 6.48, 5.83, 4.40, 3.81, 3.45-3.20, 2.35, 2.23, 2.11-2.06, 1.92, 1.44.

EXAMPLE 18 N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-6-carboxamide.fumarate

2-Chloro-3-pyridinol (20.0 g, 0.154 mole and NaHCO₃ (19.5g, 0.232 mole, 1.5 equ) are dissolved in 150 ml of water. The reaction mixture is placed in an oil bath at 90° C. and after 5 min is treated with 37% aqueous formaldehyde (40.5 ml, 0.541 mole, 3.5 equ) which is added in six unequal doses; 12 ml initially, 3×8 ml followed by 1×2.2 ml all at 90 min intervals with the final 2.3 ml added after maintaining at 90° C. overnight (15 h). After stirring in the 90° C. bath for an additional 4 h, the flask is placed in ice bath, and the contents are treated with 100 ml of crushed ice, acidified with 39 ml of 6 N HCl to pH 1, and the precipitated material is stirred for 1.5 h in an ice bath. The undesired solid is removed by filtration, and the filtrate is extracted seven times with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts are concentrated at reduced pressure, treated with toluene, reconcentrated on rotary evaporator to azeotrope most of the water, suspended in CH₂Cl₂ and reconcentrated again at reduced pressure to obtain 19.9 g (81%) of 2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-pyridinol as a pale yellow solid sufficiently pure for subsequent reaction. MS for C₆H₆ClNO₂: m/z: 159 (M)⁺.

2-Chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-pyridinol (11.6 g, 72.7 mmol) and NaHCO₃ (18.3 g, 218 mmol) are dissolved in 200 ml water in a flask. The mixture is stirred until homogeneous, is cooled in an ice bath, is treated with iodine (19.4 g, 76.3 mmol), and is stirred over 60 h at rt as the cooling bath expired. The pH of the mixture is adjusted to 3 with 2N NaHSO₄, and the mixture is extracted with 4×50 ml EtOAc. The combined organic layer is dried (MgSO₄) and is concentrated in vacuo to a yellow solid. The crude solid is washed with EtOAc to provide 12.9 g (62%) of 2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-iodo-3-pyridinol as an off-white solid. The filtrate is concentrated to a small volume and is chromatographed over 250 g SiO₂ (230-400 mesh) eluting with EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂/hexane/acetic acid 2.5:4.5:4:0.1. The appropriate fractions are combined and concentrated to afford an additional 2.4 g (12%) of pure 2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-iodo-3-pyridinol. MS for C₆H₅ClINO₂, m/z: 285 (M)⁺.

2-Chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-iodopyridin-3-ol (5.7 g, 20 mmol) is combined with bis (triphenylphosphine) palladium dichloride (1.12 g, 1.6 mmol) in 50 ml DMF under nitrogen. The mixture is treated with tetravinyl tin, is warmed to 60° C. for 6 h followed by 50° C. for 18 h, and at rt for 72 h. The mixture is diluted with 250 ml EtOAc and is extracted with 4×100 ml 2:1:1 water/saturated NaCl/saturated NaHCO₃. The organic layer is dried (MgSO₄) and is concentrated in vacuo to a yellow oil. The crude material is chromatographed over 200 g SiO₂ (230-400 mesh) eluting with 37% EtOAc/hexane. The appropriate fractions are combined and concentrated to afford 1.45 g (39%) of 2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-vinylpyridin-3-ol as a pale yellow solid. MS for C₈H₈ClNO₂ (EI) m/z: 185 (M)⁺.

2-Chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-vinylpyridin-3-ol (1.35 g, 7.8 mmol) is dissolved in 12 ml DMF in a dry flask under nitrogen. The yellow solution is treated with 60% sodium hydride (312 mg, 7.8 mmol), is stirred 30 min, and is treated with allyl bromide (744 μL, 8.6 mmol). The reaction is stirred 6 h at RT, is diluted with 50 ml EtOAc, and is washed with 4×25 ml 2:1:1 water/sat'd NaCl/sat'd NaHCO₃. The organic layer is dried (MgSO₄) and is concentrated in vacuo to a yellow oil. The crude material is chromatographed over 50 g SiO₂ (230-400 mesh) eluting with 30% EtOAc/hexane. The appropriate fractions are combined and concentrated to give 1.43 g (81%) of[5-(allyloxy)-6-chloro-4-vinylpyridin-2-yl]methanol as a white solid. MS for C₁₁H₁₂ClNO₂ (EI) m/z: 225 (M)⁺.

[5-(Allyloxy)-6-chloro-4-vinylpyridin-2-yl]methanol (225 mg, 1.0 mmol) is combined with bis (tricyclohexylphosphine) benzylidene ruthenium (IV) dichloride (16.5 mg, 0.02 mmol) in 5 ml CH₂Ci₂ and the reaction is stirred 4 h at RT. The volatiles are removed in vacuo and the residue is chromatographed over 15 g SiO₂ (230-400 mesh) eluting with 40% EtOAc/hexane. The appropriate fractions are combined and concentrated to give 175 mg (89%) of (8-chloro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridin-6-yl)methanol as a tan solid. MS for C₉H₈ClNO₂ (EI) m/z: 197 (M)⁺.

(8-Chloro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridin-6-yl)methanol (988 mg, 5.0 mmol) is combined with 100 mg 10% Pd/C in 25 ml EtOH containing 3 ml (6 mmol) of 2N aqueous NaOH in a 250 ml PARR shaker bottle. The reaction is hydrogenated at 50 PSI for 48 h, the catalyst is removed by filtration, and the filtrate is concentrated to dryness. The mixture is partitioned between 1×10 ml 1:1 saturated NaCl/conc. NH₄OH and 4×10 ml CH₂Cl₂ and the combined organic layer is dried (K₂CO₃). The mixture is concentrated in vacuo to give 730 mg (89%) of 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridin-6-ylmethanol as an off-white solid. HRMS (FAB) calcd for C₉H₁₁NO₂+H: 166.0868, found 166.0868 (M+H)⁺.

Oxalyl chloride (452 μL, 5.1 mmol) is dissolved in 15 ml CH₂Cl₂ under nitrogen at −78° C. The solution is treated drop-wise with DMSO (729 μL, 10.3 mmol) in 5 ml CH₂Cl₂ and the mixture is stirred 30 min at −78° C. 3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridin-6-ylmethanol (731 mg, 4.4 mmol) is added drop-wise to the reaction mixture in 5 ml CH₂Cl₂ and the reaction is stirred 30 min at −78° C. The mixture is treated with TEA (3.08 ml, 22.1 mmol), is stirred 30 min at −78° C. and 2 h at 0° C. The mixture is washed with 1×10 ml saturated NaHCO₃, is dried (K₂CO₃), and is concentrated in vacuo. The crude intermediate is chromatographed over 25 g SiO₂ (230-400 mesh) eluting with 35% EtOAc/hexane. The appropriate fractions are combined and concentrated to give 685 mg (95%) of the aldehyde as an off-white solid.

The aldehyde (685 mg, 4.2 mmol) is combined with NaClO₂ (80%, 1.42 g, 12.6 mmol) and KH₂PO₄ in 15 ml THF/7 ml t-BuOH/7 ml water and the reaction is stirred overnight under a stream of nitrogen. The reaction is concentrated to dryness in vacuo and the residue is dissolved in 10 ml water. The pH of the mixture is adjusted to 5 with 12 N HCl, the white solid is collected, washed with water, and is dried in vacuo at 50° C. to afford 565 mg (82%) of 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid as a white solid. HRMS (FAB) calcd for C₉H₉NO₃+H: 180.0661, found 180.0652 (M+H)⁺.

Example 18 is obtained using the coupling and salt formation procedures discussed in Example 13, making non-critical changes. The free base is obtained in 99% yield as a white foam. Example 18 is obtained in 80% yield as a white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d₄) δ 8.1, 7.8, 6.7, 4.5, 4.3, 3.8, 3.5-3.3, 2.9, 2.4-1.9.

Materials and Methods for Determining α7 nAChR Agonist Activity

Cell-based Assay for Measuring the EC₅₀ of α7 nAChR Agonists

Construction and Expression of the α7-5HT₃ Receptor:

The cDNA encoding the N-terminal 201 amino acids from the human α7 nAChR that contain the ligand binding domain of the ion channel was fused to the cDNA encoding the pore forming region of the mouse 5HT₃ receptor as described by Eisele J L, et al., Chimaeric nicotinic-serotonergic receptor combines distinct ligand binding and channel specificities, Nature (1993), December 2;366(6454):479-83, and modified by Groppi, et al., WO 00/73431. The chimeric α7-5HT₃ ion channel was inserted into pGS175 and pGS179 which contain the resistance genes for G-418 and hygromycin B, respectively. Both plasmids were simultaneously transfected into SH-EP1 cells and cell lines were selected that were resistant to both G-418 and hyrgromycin B. Cell lines expressing the chimeric ion channel were identified by their ability to bind fluorescent α-bungarotoxin on their cell surface. The cells with the highest amount of fluorescent α-bungarotoxin binding were isolated using a Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorter (FACS). Cell lines that stably expressed the chimeric α7-5HT₃ were identified by measuring fluorescent α-bungarotoxin binding after growing the cells in minimal essential medium containing nonessential amino acids supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, L-glutamine, 100 units/ml penicillin/streptomycin, 250 ng/mg fungizone, 400 μg/ml hygromycin B, and 400 μg/ml G-418 at 37° C. with 6% CO₂ in a standard mammalian cell incubator for at least 4 weeks in continuous culture.

Assay of the Activity of the Chimeric α7-5HT₃ Receptor

To assay the activity of the α7-5HT₃ ion channel, cells expressing the channel were plated into each well of either a 96 or 384 well dish (Corning #3614) and grown to confluence prior to assay. On the day of the assay, the cells were loaded with a 1:1 mixture of 2 mM Calcium Green 1, AM (Molecular Probes) dissolved in anhydrous DMSO and 20% pluronic F-127 (Molecular Probes). This solution was added directly to the growth media of each well to achieve a final concentration 2 μM. The cells were incubated with the dye for 60 min at 37° C. and is washed with a modified version of Earle's balanced salt solution (MMEBSS) as described in WO 00/73431. The ion conditions of the MMEBSS was adjusted to maximize the flux of calcium ion through the chimeric α7-5HT₃ ion channel as described in WO 00/73431. The activity of compounds on the chimeric α7-5HT₃ ion channel was analyzed on FLIPR. The instrument was set up with an excitation wavelength of 488 nanometers using 500 milliwatts of power. Fluorescent emission was measured above 525 nanometers with an appropriate F-stop to maintain a maximal signal to noise ratio. Agonist activity of each compound was measured by directly adding the compound to cells expressing the chimeric α7-5HT₃ ion channel and measuring the resulting increase in intracellular calcium that is caused by the agonist-induced activation of the chimeric ion channel. The assay is quantitative such that concentration-dependent increase in intracelluar calcium is measured as concentration-dependent change in Calcium Green fluorescence. The effective concentration needed for a compound to cause a 50% maximal increase in intracellular calcium is termed the EC₅₀. Examples 6(b) and 12 were inactive; the remaining examples have EC₅₀ values from about 100 nM to about 10,120 nM.

Binding Constants:

Another way for measuring α7 nAChR agonist activity is to determine binding constants of a potential agonist in a competition binding assay. For α7 nAChR agonists, there is good correlation between functional EC₅₀ values using the chimeric α7-5HT₃ ion channel as a drug target and binding affinity of compounds to the endogenous α7 nAChR.

Membrane Preparation

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-350 g) are sacrificed by decapitation and the brains (whole brain minus cerebellum) are dissected quickly, weighed and homogenized in 9 volumes/g wet weight of ice-cold 0.32 M sucrose using a rotating pestle on setting 50 (10 up and down strokes). The homogenate is centrifuged at 1,000×g for 10 min at 4° C. The supernatant is collected and centrifuged at 20,000×g for 20 min at 4° C. The resulting pellet is resuspended to a protein concentration of 1-8 mg/mL. Aliquots of 5 mL homogenate are frozen at −80° C. until needed for the assay. On the day of the assay, aliquots are thawed at rt and diluted with Kreb's−20 mM Hepes buffer pH 7.0 (at rt) containing 4.16 mM NaHCO₃, 0.44 mM KH₂PO₄, 127 mM NaCl, 5.36 mM KCl, 1.26 mM CaCl₂, and 0.98 mM MgCl₂, so that 25-150 μg protein are added per test tube. Proteins are determined by the Bradford method (Bradford, M. M., Anal. Biochem., 72, 248-254, 1976) using bovine serum albumin as the standard.

Binding Assay

For saturation studies, 0.4 mL homogenate are added to test tubes containing buffer and various concentrations of radioligand, and are incubated in a final volume of 0.5 mL for 1 hour at 25° C. Nonspecific binding was determined in tissues incubated in parallel in the presence of 0.05 mls MLA for a final concentration of 1 μM, added before the radioligand. In competition studies, drugs are added in increasing concentrations to the test tubes before addition of 0.05 mls [³H]-MLA for a final concentration 3.0 to 4.0 nM. The incubations are terminated by rapid vacuum filtration through Whatman GF/B glass filter paper mounted on a 48 well Brandel cell harvester. Filters are pre-soaked in 50 mM Tris HCl pH 7.0-0.05% polyethylenimine. The filters are rapidly washed two times with 5 mL aliquots of cold 0.9% saline and counted for radioactivity by liquid scintillation spectrometry.

Data Analysis

In competition binding studies, the inhibition constant (Ki) was calculated from the concentration dependent inhibition of [³H]-MLA binding obtained from non-linear regression fitting program according to the Cheng-Prusoff equation (Cheng, Y. C. and Prussoff, W. H., Biochem. Pharmacol., 22, p. 3099-3108, 1973). Hill coefficients were obtained using non-linear regression (GraphPad Prism sigmoidal dose-response with variable slope). 

1. A compound of the Formula I:

Formula I wherein Azabicyclo is:

X is O or S; W is CH or N; Y is O, CR_(Y), or C(R_(Y))₂, provided that when Y is CR_(Y), one R₆ is a bond to CR_(Y), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O; Each R_(Y) is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Y is C(R_(Y))₂, and further provided that when one R_(Y) is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Y) is H; Z is O, CR_(Z), or C(R_(Z))₂, provided that when Z is CR_(Z), one R₄ is a bond to CR_(Z), and further provided that at least one of Y or Z is O; Each R_(Z)is independently H, F, Br, Cl, CN, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, provided that when Z is C(R_(Z))₂, and further provided that when R_(Z)is F, Br, Cl, CN, —OR₁₁, or —N(R₁₁)₂, the other R_(Z)is H; R₁ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, or aryl; Each R₂ is independently F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or R₂ is absent provided that k₁, is 0; k₁ is 0 or 1; R₃ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated alkenyl, halogenated alkynyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, substituted alkynyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, R₇, R₉, —OR₈, —OR₁₅, —SR₈, —SR₁₇, F, Cl, Br, I, —NR₈R₈, —NR₈R₁₆, —NR₁₆R₁₆, —C(O)R₈, —CN, —C(O)NR₈R₈, —NR₈C(O)R₈, —S(O)R₈, —S(O)R₁₇, —OS(O)₂R₈, —NR₈S(O)₂R₈, —NO₂, or —N(H)C(O)N(H)R₈; Each R₄ is independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or a bond to Z provided that Z is CR_(Z); R₅ is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted phenyl, or substituted naphthyl; Each R₆ is independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or a bond to Y provided that Y is CR_(Y); R₇ is 5-membered heteroaromatic mono-cyclic moieties containing within the ring 1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of ═N—, —N(R₁₄)—, —O—, and —S—, and having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or R₇ is 9-membered fused-ring moieties having a 6-membered ring fused to a 5-membered ring including the formula

wherein G₁ is O, S or NR₁₄, wherein G is C(R₁₈) or N, and each G₂ and G₃ are independently selected from C(R₁₈)₂, C(R₁₈), O, S, N, and N(R₁₈), provided that both G₂ and G₃ are not simultaneously O, simultaneously S, or simultaneously O and S, or

wherein G is C(R₁₈) or N, and each G₂ and G₃ are independently selected from C(R₁₈)₂, C(R₁₈), O, S, N, and N(R₁₄), each 9-membered fused-ring moiety having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and further having 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, wherein the R₇ moiety attaches to other substituents as defined in formula I at any position on either ring as valency allows; Each R₈ is independently H, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I or substituted phenyl; R₉ is 6-membered heteroaromatic mono-cyclic moieties containing within the ring 1-3 heteroatoms selected from ═N— and having 0-1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, or R₉ is 10-membered heteroaromatic bi-cyclic moieties containing within one or both rings 1-3 heteroatoms selected from ═N—, including, but not limited to, quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl, each 10-membered fused-ring moiety having 0-1 substituent selected from R₁₈ and 0-3 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I, and having the point of attachment at any position on R₉ where valency allows; Each R₁₀ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃, cycloalkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃, heterocycloalkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl; Each R₁₁ is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, or halogenated heterocycloalkyl; R₁₂ is —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —NO₂, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, or —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁; R₁₃ is —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —CF₃, —NO₂, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, or phenyl optionally substituted with up to 3 halo atoms and further optionally substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₂; R₁₄ is independently H, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl; R₁₅ is H, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or substituted phenyl; Each R₁₆ is independently alkyl, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, R₉, phenyl, or phenyl having 1 substituent selected from R₂₀ and further having 0-3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, or I; Each R₁₇ is independently H, halogenated alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, R₇, or R₉; Each R₁₈ is independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, or a bond directly or indirectly attached to the core molecule, provided that there is only one said bond to the core molecule within the 9-membered fused-ring moiety, further provided that where valency allows the fused-ring moiety has 0-1 substituent selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —NO₂, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, or —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, and further provided that the fused-ring moiety has 0-3 substituent(s) selected from F, Cl, Br, or I; R₂₀ is alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated alkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, —OR₁₁, —SR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₁, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₁, —CN, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₁, —S(O)₂NR₁₁R₁₁, —NR₁₁S(O)₂R₁₁, —NO₂, alkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃, cycloalkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃, or heterocycloalkyl substituted with 1-4 substituent(s) independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or R₁₃; or pharmaceutical composition, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, racemic mixture, or pure enantiomer thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein X is O.
 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein R₁ is H, alkyl, or cycloalkyl.
 4. The compound of claim 3, wherein R₃ is H, lower alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, lower substituted alkynyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, —OR₈, —OR₁₅, —SR₈, —SR₁₇, F, Cl, Br, I, —NR₈R₈, —NR₈R₁₆,—NR₁₆R₁₆, —C(O)R₈, —CN, —C(O)NR₈R₈, —NR₈C(O)R₈, —S(O)R₈, —S(O)R₁₇, —OS(O)₂R₈, —NR₈S(O)₂R₈, or —N(H)C(O)N(H)R₈, wherein R₈ is H, lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl; wherein R₁₅ and R₁₇ are independently H, lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl; and wherein R₁₆ is lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogenated heterocycloalkyl, or substituted heterocycloalkyl.
 5. The compound of claim 4, wherein R₂ is lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, lower substituted alkyl, or absent provided that k₁ is
 0. 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein Y is O and Z is O.
 7. The compound of claim 6, wherein at least one R₄ and at least one R₆ are each H and the other R₄ and other R₆ are each independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl, wherein each R₁₀ is independently H, lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or lower alkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃.
 8. The compound of claim 7, wherein W is CH.
 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein the compound is: N-((3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl,-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; N-[(2S,3R)-2-methyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; 2(R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide-; 2(S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; N-1-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(phenoxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 10. The compound of claim 8, wherein the compound is: N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3 R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-7-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S,3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R,3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S,3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-diethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R,3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-diethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-hydroxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-hydroxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-hydroxylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-cyanophenenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-hydroxylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (2R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-[(4-cyanophenenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-hydroxbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(3-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-hydroxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[[(4-cyanobenzyl)oxy]methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(4R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(3-flurophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methly]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(3-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-hydrophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3S)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-cyanophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-hydroxylphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; (3R)-N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3-[(4-cyanophenoxy)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; N-(1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine -6-carboxamide; N-(1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts therof.
 11. The compound of claim 7, wherein W is N.
 12. The compound of claim 11, wherein the compound is: N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically salts thereof.
 13. The compound of claim 11, wherein the compound is: N-[1-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; N-[1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; N-[1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-c]pyridine-7-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 14. The compound of claim 5, wherein Y is O and Z is CR_(Z) or C(R_(Z))₂, or wherein Y is CR_(Y) or C(R_(Y))₂ and Z is O.
 15. The compound of claim 14, wherein Z is CR_(Z) and R₄ is a bond, or wherein Y is CR_(Y) and R₆ is a bond, provided that only one of R₄ or R₆ is the bond.
 16. The compound of claim 15, wherein W is CH.
 17. The compound of claim 16, wherein the compound is: N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-2-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 18. The compound of claim 16, wherein the compound is: N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-methyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-fluoro-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-chloro-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-bromo-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-cyano-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethynyl-2H-chromene-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-methyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-fluoro-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-chloro-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-bromo-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-cyano-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-ethynyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 19. The compound of claim 14, wherein Y is O and Z is C(R_(Z))₂ or Z is O and Y is C(R_(Y))₂, and wherein at least one R₄ and at least one R₆ are each H and the other R₄ and other R₆ are each independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl, wherein each R₁₀ is independently H, lower alkyl, lower halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or lower alkyl substituted with 1 substituent selected from R₁₃.
 20. The compound of claim 19, wherein W is CH.
 21. The compound of claim 20, wherein the compound is: N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]chromane-6-carboxamide; N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]chromane-7-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 22. The compound of claim 20, wherein the compound is: N-(1-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; N-(1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; N-(1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-6-carboxamide; N-(1-(2S,3R)-2-methyl-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; N-(1-(2-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; N-(1-(6-methyl)-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-chromane-7-carboxamide; and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 23. The compound of claim 19, wherein W is N.
 24. The compound of claim 23, wherein the compound is: N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-6-carboxamide and racemates, enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 25. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1, an anti-psychotic agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 26. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 25, wherein said compound and said agent are to be independently administered to a mammal rectally, topically, orally, sublingually, or parenterally for a therapeutically effective interval.
 27. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 25, wherein said compound is administered to a mammal in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 100 mg/kg of body weight of said mammal per day.
 28. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 25, wherein said compound is administered to a mammal in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 50 mg/kg of body weight of said mammal per day.
 29. The pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 30. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 29, wherein said compound is administered to a mammal rectally, topically, orally, sublingually, or parenterally for a therapeutically effective interval.
 31. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 29, wherein said compound is administered to a mammal in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 100 mg/kg of body weight of said mammal per day.
 32. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 29, wherein said compound is administered to a mammal in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 50 mg/kg of body weight of said mammal per day.
 33. A method for treating a disease or condition in a mammal in need thereof, wherein the disease or condition is treatable by the administration of an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, wherein the disease or condition is cognitive and attention deficit symptoms of Alzheimer's, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, pre-senile dementia (mild cognitive impairment), or senile dementia.
 34. A method for treating a disease or condition in a mammal in need thereof, wherein the disease or condition is treatable by the administration of an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, wherein the disease or condition is schizophrenia of psychosis. 